Thibaut Courtois Slams Real Madrid Teammates After 3-2 Loss: 'We Went Out Asleep'

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has slammed his teammates after their 3-2 loss at RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

Two early goals from Leipzig pushed down the defending champions Real Madrid, who were struggling from the very first minute of the game at Red Bull Arena. Center-back Josko Gvardiol put the hosts 1-0 up soon after the kick-start before French forward Christopher Nkunku doubled their lead 18 minutes into the game.

While Real Madrid's young forward Vinicius Jr reduced the deficit, former Chelsea striker Timo Werner made it 3-1 for Leipzig in the 81st minute. Just before the final whistle, Los Blancos got a late second goal with a penalty from Rodrygo.

Courtois was clearly unimpressed and he did not try to hide it in the post-match interview Tuesday.

"It is what sometimes happens to us. We went out asleep, without intensity and you pay for it. The coach warned us and it still happened. As a goalkeeper, you are noticing that we are not in the game. In many duels, we did not win. That happens in both goals, due to lack of intensity. We have to wake up,'' Courtois told Movistar, according to Goal.

However, head coach Carlo Ancelotti backed his side despite the 3-2 loss at Leipzig. It was only their only first defeat of the 2022-23 season and Ancelotti said he couldn't criticize a team that had done very well so far.

"We conceded on two set pieces and the game went into the dynamic that they wanted, they are very good on the counter. The key has been those two goals from set pieces. I am not annoyed, it's a defeat, and it bothers us, but it's a defeat that doesn't hurt us much, we have another chance [to secure the top spot]. I can't criticize a team that has done very well so far," Ancelotti said after Real Madrid's defeat.

Real Madrid, who have already qualified for the knockout stages, are at the top of Group F in the 2022-23 Champions League with 10 points, but they are just a point ahead of RB Leipzig.

Ancelotti and Co are next in action Sunday (Oct. 30) against Girona in La Liga. Following this, Real Madrid are scheduled to host Celtic in a Champions League game on Nov. 1.