Thibaut Courtois questions Real Madrid's crossing tactics in damning 5-1 Champions League aggregate defeat to Arsenal

Real Madrid ace Thibaut Courtois appeared to question his side's tactics in their 2-1 loss to Arsenal as they were dumped out of the Champions League.

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• Real Madrid beaten 2-1 by Arsenal
• Dumped out of Champions League
• Courtois questions side's tactics

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Madrid's hopes of securing a 'remontada' at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday were ended after a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. The Los Blancos keeper then said their decision to cross balls into the box was ineffective, especially as they didn't have a target man such as Joselu anymore, with the veteran sold to Qatari side Al-Gharafa in 2024.

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• AFP
  

  WHAT COURTOIS SAID

  He said after the game: "We put in many crosses, but this year we don't have a pure striker like Joselu, a guy that can win those kind of duels."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Madrid were thumped 5-1 over the two legs, and their hopes of retaining their Champions League title went up in smoke in spectacular style. This could spell the end of manager Carlo Ancelotti's time at the club, too.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While Arsenal prepare for the Champions League semi-finals, Madrid return to La Liga action on Sunday at home to Athletic Club.