Coach Courtois Disappointed by Supporters Singing for Messi

The coach delivered a lucid and straightforward analysis after a match marked by solid play but also by a cruel outcome. Despite the result, he primarily retains the quality of the performance shown by his team. “I know we’re going to play like this all the time. There will be matches that are a little less successful or individual mistakes, but overall, we’ve found our game identity,” he explained with confidence.

This conviction, however, contrasts with the disappointment of a match that slipped away from his team in the final minutes of the first half. “The scenario before halftime is hard to swallow. It’s in those moments that everything changes. I’m very disappointed for the players, but especially for the supporters who came to sing and support the team,” he said with emotion.

Among the positive takeaways, Anthony’s performance stood out. The coach did not hide his admiration for the player’s ability to remain focused despite a complicated week. “Anthony’s performance deserves recognition. Despite all the distractions he faced this week, he stayed connected, in rhythm. And let’s not forget that he was returning from injury,” he noted.

He also praised the impact of the substitutes, particularly Dominique’s, who brought energy and creativity. “The substitutes were interesting. They changed the dynamic, showed character, and tried to turn the situation around,” he added.

On a collective level, the coach believes the group showed significant progress. “We’re getting closer to what we want to present: structured football with intensity and coherence. You can feel that the group believes in the project,” he affirmed. However, he acknowledges that certain mistakes still need to be corrected to avoid frustrating outcomes.

The coach specifically highlighted one particular sequence that led to the opposing goal. “I have to ask myself how to make my group more responsible so that we don’t concede such a needless foul, especially when the best player in the world isn’t on the field. And then we concede a 45-meter free kick… These are situations that are hard to reproduce, but we must learn from them,” he commented, visibly affected.

Despite the disappointment of the result, his message remains firmly future-oriented. “I’m disappointed, yes, but still confident. We saw encouraging things — a clear playing identity and committed players. What’s most important now is to fix the details and keep moving in this direction,” he concluded, determined to turn frustration into a driving force for progress.