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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Madrid lost 4-0 to PSG in CWC semi-final</li><li>Dembele scored one goal</li><li>Courtois complained about rabid pressing</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'I had half a second to think!' - Thibaut Courtois complains Ousmane Dembele pressed too much as Real Madrid goalkeeper opens up on brutal PSG defeat

FIFA Club World Cup

Chelsea

Paris Saint-Germain

<p>On Wednesday, in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-player-ratings-vs-psg-vinicius-jr-kylian-mbappe/bltda861eca95e33ab3" target="_blank">Real Madrid suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat against a Paris Saint-Germain side in top form</a>. At the heart of this collective humiliation, Courtois spoke after the match, acknowledging PSG's superiority and emphasising in particular on the rabid off the ball work Dembele put in.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED

<p>One of the main architects of PSG steamrolling through Madrid was Ousmane Dembele, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ballon-dor-2025-power-rankings/bltd009fae5576d751f" target="_blank">a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or</a>. The PSG striker not only scored a goal but also relentlessly harassed the opposition's defence. Even Courtois was powerless to stop him. His words did not just point out Dembele's determination, but also indirectly called out the lack of effort from his own team-mates.</p><div data-name="DAZN" class="affiliate-button-container theme-1"><div class="affiliate-button"><img height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2a657c326f3152f3/65709dfdfcc91a04075bd960/DAZN.png" class="logo" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZN</span></div><a href="https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lfsPh/destination:https://www.dazn.com/welcome/fifa-club-world-cup" target="_blank" class="affiliate-button-link">Stream now</a></div>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking to reporters after the game, Courtois said: "I told [Dembele] after the game that he was pressing a lot and he told me that's what he had to do. On a clearance, I have half a second to think about where I'm going to shoot, because they're pressing you."</p><p>While reflecting on the performance of his own team-mates, the Belgian international did not mince his words. For him, it was the whole team that failed, not just two or three players, as was evident from the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-real-madrid-comedy-of-errors-antonio-rudiger-raul-asencio-catastrophic-mistakes-gift-psg-early-two-goal-lead-in-club-world-cup-semi-final/blt01fff2ee83c06712" target="_blank">defensive errors by Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger</a>, which led to the first two goals.</p><p>"It's something we need to improve collectively, it's not just a question of individual players. Collectively, we need to press better and be more coordinated," he added. "We were a bit weak today. We've done much better in other games. It's something we need to look at on video and improve."</p>

WHAT THIBAUT COURTOIS SAID

<p>Head coach Xabi Alonso and his staff will have to go back to the drawing board to figure out how to get the best out of this Real Madrid side. The 15-time European champions will begin their La Liga campaign on August 19 against Osasuna, after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/real-madrid-shut-down-la-liga-denies-request-opening-game-club-world-cup-final/blt9eee769331fb3602" target="_blank">the league refused their request to postpone the opening game</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

'I had half a second to think!' - Thibaut Courtois complains Ousmane Dembele pressed too much as Real Madrid goalkeeper opens up on brutal PSG defeat | Goal.com

The Real Madrid goalkeeper spoke candidly after the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of PSG and mentioned the problems Ousmane Dembele caused off the ball.

&apos;I had half a second to think!&apos; - Thibaut Courtois complains Ousmane Dembele pressed too much as Real Madrid goalkeeper opens up on brutal PSG defeat

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