On the good side is who has Courtois

Madrid’s miracles would not be understood without Courtois. A tremendous goalkeeper, as valuable as Benzema. Ancelotti is lucky to have two best in both areas. On his own, the Belgian protected from start to finish in a Champions League as costly as Real. Always on the lookout, he was the support of a team that was shaking almost all of the first half, harassed by an intense Liverpool, more stable, and less inaccurate.

Courtoi is life insurance. It made the extraordinary a task, unattainable for the rest of mortals. He saved a shot from Salah in the small area and then saved Real Madrid very well after an impossible save to Mané. A caress enough in the leather to divert it to the wood raises the white fans, who urge every time one of their own feeds the discourse that this club, more than any other, lives from at particular moments.

Before the break he had time to stop another attempt by Salah, this time more gentle and somewhat difficult. The best goalkeeper in the world played his second Champions League final, but he gave the impression that it didn’t impose the stage or its importance on him, as if it were another night. Perhaps there lies the calm in which Real Madrid assume the most difficult moments, accustomed to safety exercises in Europe.

When Courtoi pointed out on Friday the fact that he is now on the good side of history, he forgot that one nuance often changes the meaning of things: who is on the good side is the one with Thibaut. And that’s the Madrid team. This is a series of miracles. In the second half, when Liverpool were more aggressive, the Belgian intervened to reduce Diogo Jota and eventually took the magic wand to repel a point-blank shot from Salah. Another, routine for him.

Real Madrid beat the cards. Also for the presence of Vinicius. The Brazilian, who broke down due to his lack of goalscoring, sealed the Champions League after sweeping an impressive assist from Valverde on goal. Crowded in a corner, Ancelotti’s footballers confirmed his immortality. After returning from PSG, Chelsea and City, tonight at the Stade de France, patience was enough for him until he was given the chance to play. I don’t need any more.

There was a time, not too long ago, when Vinicius was caricatured, denied facing the door. The winger, full of courage, who seemed to have attended the Real Madrid school, was not afraid of the noise outside. He has matured and improved in that aspect, now a more energetic scorer. He enrolled in Paris. In the biggest scenario, owning a club used to win, win and win.