Two metres tall, head to toe, with the wingspan of an albatross and a neck that seems to reach up into the clouds, Thibaut Courtois was always going to leave a very distinct and sizeable gap when he departed Chelsea in the summer of 2018.
You can measure it in currency as well as in metres. The London club spent in excess of €100 million replacing the excellent, elastic Belgian goalkeeper.
Most of that went on making Kepa Arrizabalaga the most expensive keeper in football, at some €80m. But Kepa will be watching Tuesday’s first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Courtois’ Real Madrid from the substitutes bench, his Chelsea career having hit some uncomfortable bumps in his second season at the club.
He is now firmly assigned as deputy to Eduoard Mendy, bought in last summer for just over €20m, and already the proud co-owner of a defensive record Courtois can relate to.
Chelsea have kept 16 clean sheets since Thomas Tuchel arrived as their new manager 21 matches ago, Mendy the last line of defence for most of those, and, apart from a bizarre afternoon – a 5-2 defeat by West Bromwich Albion – the confident commander of a successfully reshaped defence.
Three at the back, with wing-backs, is the default under Tuchel; under his predecessor, Frank Lampard, it was an option.
In the lead-up to Chelsea’s first European Cup semi-final for seven years, the Tuchel back-three is being widely referred to as 'The Wall', Chelsea’s secure base as they chase a top-four finish in the Premier League and two major trophies, the FA and European Cups.
“They are a very complete side,” said the Madrid central defender Raphael Varane on Monday, “and we will need to be flexible in the way we take them on. They have a really solid block at the back and they come at you fast.”
“We need the very best version of ourselves to do damage to this Chelsea,” added Real manager Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane will not have his preferred XI at his disposal. Eden Hazard – like Courtois a distinguished former Chelsea player – is not thought sufficiently match-fit to start, although his 15 minutes from the bench in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Real Betis was one of his more encouraging comebacks of his injury-troubled time in Spain. Hazard should be in the match day squad.
Real 3 Liverpool 1: player ratings
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REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 6: Hardly any pressure was applied on the Belgian. He was confident on crosses and could do little for the goal. Getty -
Lucas Vazquez - 6: The right back was disciplined and ensured that Mane and Robertson found little joy down his wing. He played Salah onside for the goal. AFP -
Eder Militao - 7: The only real lapse in an assured performance was when Jota ran at him in the lead-up to Liverpool's goal. He easily dealt with Mane when the Senegalese drifted inside. EPA -
Nacho - 7: The 31-year-old was supposed to be a weak link in the injury-hit defence but excelled. He was calm, won most of his tackles and distributed the ball well. AP -
Ferland Mendy - 7: The Frenchman ranged down the left wing and produced a nice cross for Vinicius early on. He was more restrained in the second half and was largely untroubled defensively. AFP -
Luka Modric - 7: The Croat set the tempo from deep in the midfield. He provided the pass for the third goal and his class was obvious throughout. Getty -
Casemiro - 7: The Brazilian’s role was to bolster the defence and he swept up loose balls and cut out danger. His passing was at its best when he kept things simple. AFP -
Toni Kroos - 8: The German picked out Vinicius with a marvellous long ball to open the scoring and tested the defence with his passing. He was behind most of Real’s best work. EPA -
Marco Asensio - 7: The 25-year-old seized on a defensive mistake and scored the second goal with aplomb. He wasted a dangerous counter attack in the second half and was replaced by Valverde after 70 minutes. Getty -
Karim Benzema - 7: The Frenchman was not allowed any real opportunities but contributed some astute passing and movement to create space for team-mates. AFP -
Vinicius Junior - 8: The 20-year-old scored two and caused havoc with his direct running. His first strike showed marvellous technique and his second showed the value of shooting early. The damage to Liverpool was done by the time he was withdrawn for Rodrygo with five minutes left. Getty -
SUBS: Federico Valverde - 6: The Uruguayan came on for Asenio with 20 minutes left. He brought energy to the midfield and helped see the game out. AP -
Rodrygo - 5: The 20-year-old replaced Vinicius for the final five minutes. He ran hard but did not have enough time to make a significant impact. Getty -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 4: The Brazilian was let down by his defenders for the first two goals but should have done much better on the third. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 3: A terrible first half for the 22-year-old. He should have been more aware for the first goal and his misplaced header set up the second. Better after half time but a bad night overall. AFP -
Nathaniel Phillips - 4: The centre back was effective in the air but his flaws were exposed by Real. He was caught in no-man’s land for Vinicius’ opener and was too far away from the Brazilian striker for the third goal. EPA -
Ozan Kabak - 4: The Turk started well and was alert to early danger. He lost composure as the defence struggled and was lucky not to be embarrassed by a mishit back pass. Replaced by Firmino with nine minutes left. AFP -
Andrew Robertson - 5: The Scot was the best of Liverpool’s defenders but the bar was low. He lacked his usual zest and was ineffective going forward. Getty -
Fabinho - 4: The Brazilian never got to the pace of the Real midfield. He was unusually static and easily bypassed by the home side's crisp passing. PA -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 4: The Dutchman gave away possession too often. He had a brief flurry in the second half and contributed to his team’s goal but then backslid into anonymity. AP -
Naby Keita - 2: A dreadful performance. The Guinean contributed little to the game and was dragged off before half time and replaced by Thiago. His time at Anfield is running out. AP -
Mohamed Salah - 6: The Egyptian hardly touched the ball for 51 minutes but took his chance and scored when the opportunity arose. He tried his best to eke out another goal but was starved of service. AFP -
Diogo Jota - 5: The Portuguese dropped too deep in the first half but his direct run and blocked shot brought Liverpool back into the game when the ball fell to Salah. Taken off for Firmino in the 81st minute. AFP -
Sadio Mane - 4: The Senegalese seemed to do everything in slow motion. He looks badly in need of a prolonged rest. Even on bad days he has been a handful this season but the Real defence were unworried by his presence. AFP -
SUBS: Thiago Alcantara - 4: The 29-year-old replaced Keita before half time and improved the side but he was unable to wrest the impetus from Real. He was lucky to get away with an ill-advised attempt to control the ball on his chest in his own area. PA -
Roberto Firmino - 4: The Brazilian tried to get on the ball after entering the game for Jota with nine minutes left but he only found blind alleys. AFP -
Xherdan Shaqiri - 4: Joined the action for Kabak in the 81st minute. The Swiss saw a lot of the ball and made a lot of sideways passes. EPA
Captain Sergio Ramos is still in recovery from a muscle problem and left-back Ferland Mendy ruled out with injury. That’s two absentees from the first-choice back four. But Courtois is used to giving orders to different combinations of defenders.
Madrid were missing Varane, Ramos and right back Dani Carvajal for the quarter-final win over Liverpool, and they have fielded mix-and-match defences through a run of six La Liga matches in which only one goal – in the victory over Barcelona – was conceded.
Varane praises Madrid’s tall goalkeeper for his consistency in those circumstances. “He’s having a really good season,” said Varane of Courtois. “We have had to adapt to lots of changes in the team, but that’s a challenge I enjoy for my game, and defending well is always a question of the whole side defending well.”
Madrid should have all three members of their trusted midfield shield available, Toni Kroos passed fit to line-up with Luka Modric and Casemiro.
There was a nod of approval from Varane for Gabriel Militao, the Brazil defender who has deputised impressively for the absent Ramos. Militao has had to bide his time in the two years since Madrid recruited him from Porto for around €50m. “When you haven’t built up your rhythm it is hard coming into a team,” said Varane, “but we all knew from training with him the quality ‘Mili’ has, and he has a great attitude to work, and is always positive. We talk a lot on the pitch.”
“He’s shown a lot of patience,” echoed Zidane, “and now he’s bringing a lot to our team. We’re all very happy with him.”
Madrid approach their ninth Champions League semi-final of the last 11 seasons with Zidane refusing to comment on whether the drama over the proposed, and rapidly collapsing, idea of a breakaway European Super League – driven above all by the Madrid president Florentino Perez – had been disruptive for the dressing-room.
The club may yet face sanctions from Uefa for having signed up to the project. “We are here to play a match, that’s the focus,” Zidane insisted in answer to questions on the Super League fallout.
Liverpool 0 Real 0: player ratings
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LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian did not see much action against a cautious Real but he was alert when needed. The best moment was a superb stop when Vinicius ran free on goal in the second half. PA -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. The 22-year-old was impressive at both ends of the pitch. He did not allow Vinicius the same freedom as in the first leg. The team rely too much on the full-back's crossing but his delivery was very good. PA -
Nathaniel Phillips - 6. The centre back was lucky to get away with a mistake when he was robbed by Benzema but he stood strong overall. He made a couple of cynical challenges when caught out. Getty Images -
Ozan Kabak - 6. The Turk gave the ball away too often but was not put under severe pressure by Real. He was quick to stop counter-attacks. Substituted for Jota with 30 minutes left. AFP -
Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot worked relentlessly up and down the wing and provided an outlet when the central players needed help. He always looked for the crossfield pass to release teammates into space. Reuters -
James Milner - 7. The 35-year-old went close with a shot from distance and put himself about. He made a crucial interception in his own area before being replaced by Thiago on the hour. Getty Images -
Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian was much better than in the first leg. He ensured his side had the advantage in midfield and protected the defence. AP -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 6. The Dutchman was keen to get forward and executed a couple of splendid turns in midfield to get attacks started. He had one great chance but skied the ball over the bar just before half time. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian wasted a wonderful chance to bring his team back into the tie early in the first half. He kept the defence unnerved but was unable to make his menace pay off. Getty Images -
Roberto Firmino - 6. The Brazilian failed to pick out Alexander-Arnold when in a dangerous position before the break. He had a number of half chances in the second period, the best of which was blocked by Militao. He made way for Oxlade-Chamberlain with eight minutes left. Getty Images -
Sadio Mane - 6. The Senegalese started brightly and made life difficult for Valverde. He never carried through with the threat and faded before being replaced by Shaqiri in the 82nd minute. Getty Images -
SUBS: Thiago Alcantara - 5. The 30-year-old came on for Milner with half an hour left but could not change the game. By then Real were sitting deep and the passing lanes were closed down. Reuters -
Diogo Jota - 6. The Portuguese replaced Kabak in the 60th minute but found himself aiming for goal from narrow angles. He shot into the side-netting but never worried Courtois. Reuters -
Xherdan Shaqiri - 6. The Swiss had lots of touches in the eight minutes remaining after he replaced Mane but the defence kept him at arm’s length. He tried hard to no avail. Getty Images -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. The Englishman joined the game after Firmino’s substitution with eight minutes left. He had one good run in stoppage time but it finished with an aimless cross. PA -
REAL MADRID PLAYER RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 8. The Belgian made two vital saves from Salah at the beginning and end of the game, the first setting the tone for the match. In between he was excellent, making a spectacular full-stretch stop from Milner. EPA -
Federico Valverde - 7. The midfielder was deployed at right back. He struggled with Mane early on but grew into the game and produced a fine pass to create a chance for Vinicius. PA -
Eder Militao - 7. The Brazilian made a fantastic block from Firmino in the second half and looked composed throughout. He was good in the air against the barrage of crosses. Reuters -
Nacho - 8. The 31-year-old fourth-choice centre back ensured any danger was dealt with quickly. He made a number of important clearances and used his experience to lead the defence. Reuters -
Ferland Mendy - 6. The Frenchman got into some awkward situations but used his pace to bail himself out. Made a poor clearance late on. PA -
Luka Modric - 6. The Croat was given too much freedom to pick his passes but was not his usual precise self. He was aware that Real did not need to be gung-ho and played conservatively. Reuters -
Casemiro - 8. The Brazilian was up for a battle and got it. He scythed through Milner and broke up attacks repeatedly. The 29-year-old was not backing down and led by example. PA -
Toni Kroos - 5. The German was nowhere near as influential as in the first leg in Madrid. He was not given time to pick out long passes and took a cautious approach. Replaced by Odriozola with 18 minutes left. Getty Images -
Marco Asensio - 5. A quiet night for the 25-year-old. Real’s emphasis was on stopping Liverpool getting back into the tie and he saw too little of the ball. AP -
Karim Benzema - 6. The Frenchman had a deflected pass hit the post after dispossessing Phillips. He missed a free header in the second half that would have killed the tie. On the plus side, he led the line well and held the ball up. Getty Images -
Vinicius Junior - 5. The Brazilian was kept quiet by the defence and on the one occasion he showed his pace, the winger was foiled by Alisson. Taken off for Rodrygo with 18 minutes to go. Getty Images -
SUBS: Alvaro Odriozola - 6. The defender was brought on for Kroos to shore up the back line with 18 minutes left. He did his job well with rigorous blocks and tackles. PA -
Rodrygo - 5. Replaced Vinicius after 72 minutes but made little impact. He joined the game at the point Real sat deeper and deeper. AFP -
Isco - 6. Sent on for Asensio with eight minutes left. He reinforced the defence and helped see out the closing minutes. Getty Images
