Thibaut Courtois admits that Lamine Yamal “lit a bit of a fire” under Real Madrid in the build-up to their recent Clasico.
According to a report from Goal.com, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has opened up about the heated atmosphere surrounding the recent Clasico against Barcelona, pointing to provocative comments made by teenage star Lamine Yamal.
Courtois said that Yamal’s pre-match jibe — delivered during a Twitch broadcast — “lit a bit of a fire under the match” and stirred up tension within the Madrid squad.
The Belgian shot-stopper explained that in elite games fuelled by emotion, such remarks can serve as extra motivation.
“We’re in an atmosphere of high tension and adrenaline,” he told COPE, adding: “sometimes you say things that weren’t necessary afterward.”
Despite the on-pitch confrontation, Courtois insists there is no lasting animosity between him and Yamal. He stated:
“I don’t think there’s any problem with Lamine … If I see Lamine in a restaurant tomorrow, I’ll greet him.”
Courtois also defended the role that such fiery exchanges play in El Clásico, saying they inject “that fire from an enemy” which is sometimes needed to raise intensity, especially after a difficult run, noting Real Madrid’s poor recent record in the fixture.