El Clasico proved to be a daunting ordeal for Real Madrid, as they endured yet another defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals, Barcelona. This loss marked the third consecutive summer in which Real Madrid fell short in this storied fixture, further compounding their frustration. For young talent Endrick Felipe, this particular match was especially challenging. Making his debut in such a high-stakes game, Endrick found it difficult to make an impact on the field.
However, despite the tough experience for Endrick, both Real Madrid fans and the player himself should not be overly concerned, according to the team’s star goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. Courtois emphasized that Endrick’s struggles were primarily due to the immense pressure he placed on himself in such a significant match. The seasoned goalkeeper suggested that alleviating this pressure could help Endrick perform better in future games.
In a revealing interview with *Diario AS*, Courtois drew a comparison between Endrick and another player he knows well, Eden Hazard, from their time together at Chelsea. Courtois observed, “He may not be very tall, but he’s incredibly strong in his legs. He reminds me a lot of Eden when I first met him at Chelsea—he had similarly strong legs. You can kick him, and he’ll still stand firm. He also has a lot of power in his shot. I’ve seen him shoot in training, and he hits the ball hard. More than anything, I think he just needs to calm down a bit. I’m not sure if he’s feeling a bit nervous, but he’s only going to get better with time.”
Courtois’s comments highlight that while Endrick faced a tough challenge in El Clasico, his physical attributes and potential are undeniable. The goalkeeper noted that Endrick’s strong legs and powerful shot are significant assets that will likely serve him well as he adapts to the high expectations and pressures of playing for a prestigious club like Real Madrid.
Adding to this perspective, Courtois echoed the sentiments of Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, regarding the role of pre-season matches like El Clasico. He pointed out that while these games are thrilling for fans and beneficial for the players, they don’t necessarily predict the outcome of the upcoming season.
Courtois elaborated, “These pre-season games are great for the fans and for the people who come to watch us play. The stadiums are always full when Real Madrid plays. Of course, we don’t like losing to Barcelona—whether it’s a pre-season match or not, nobody wants to lose.”
He continued, “But in the end, what really matters is the regular season. As Dani Carvajal said last season, we’ll see when it really counts. The match was a mix of young players and more experienced ones on both sides. It’s just part of the preparation.”
These remarks underscore the broader perspective that Courtois and the rest of the Real Madrid team maintain. While pre-season matches are valuable for gaining experience and getting into form, they do not determine the success of the competitive season. The true test lies ahead when the official matches begin. The team will need to perform consistently throughout the entire season to achieve their goals. Thus, despite the setbacks in El Clasico, Real Madrid’s focus remains on the long-term objective of excelling in the regular season, where every match truly counts.