Courtois’ Iron Curtain: The One Foe He Eagerly Guards Against
19 October 2025
Match Preview
Real Madrid head to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday for a ninth round La Liga clash with Getafe, as Xabi Alonso’s side seeks to extend their grip on the summit and reinforce the defensive discipline that has become the team’s hallmark this season.
In the spotlight is Thibaut Courtois, the Belgian goalkeeper who has long been Madrid’s staunchest weapon between the posts. According to AS, Getafe are the opponent he has enjoyed the most success against, keeping clean sheets in 15 meetings across his career, eight of them in Madrid’s jersey.
That durability makes Courtois the emblem of Madrid’s backline. He has conceded only a handful of goals across the series, and he remains a constant threat to any forward line bent on breaking down the blue-dotted shield of Getafe.
Courtois Against Getafe: A Clean-Sheet Saga
Beyond the numbers, Real Madrid’s defensive unit has improved this season, with the team among the best at repelling shots. They have faced 81 attempts and stopped 32, a 39.5 percent save-rate, placing Madrid atop Spanish clubs and among the top four in Europe’s big five leagues.
Real Madrid’s defensive discipline has grown, with central pairing chemistry and a higher press helping Courtois enjoy a more solid shield. Last season the team yielded 105 saves from 405 shots faced, a 25.9 percent rate, a figure the squad has surpassed in the current campaign.
Tonight's game will test Getafe’s attack while Madrid relies on a Belgian wall between the posts. If Courtois maintains his usual calm, Getafe might face the goalkeeper who knows their weaknesses better than any other opponent.
The Courtois Story: From Genk to Madrid Fortress
Courtois, born in 1992, began at Genk, where he helped the club win the Belgian league in 2010-11 before moving to Chelsea in 2011. He was immediately sent on loan to Atlético Madrid, where under Diego Simeone he blossomed into one of Europe’s top goalkeepers, helping them win La Liga in 2013-14 and reach the Champions League final that year.
He returned to Chelsea in 2014 as the first-choice keeper, winning the Premier League twice in 2015 and 2017, along with the League Cup and FA Cup, cementing his status among the world’s best.
In 2018 he joined Real Madrid and, after a challenging first season, established himself as the club’s key goalkeeper. He has since contributed to two Champions League titles, La Liga titles on multiple occasions, and the FIFA Club World Cup and European Super Cup, becoming a symbol of composure under pressure and aerial prowess.
Internationally, Courtois has been Belgium’s main goalkeeper since 2011 and starred at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where Belgium finished third and he earned the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best keeper. Today, he remains one of the finest of his generation, a pillar of Real Madrid’s defense and a landmark name in world football.
Best version arrived in the 2021-2022 season, with standout displays against PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool in the final rounds, earning him widespread acclaim.
He has helped Real Madrid to La Liga triumphs, Club World Cup titles, and multiple trophies, while his calm under pressure and reading of attackers remain his defining traits.
Today he stands as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, a symbol of mental resilience and professional excellence who has etched his name in Real Madrid history and in the broader football annals.
Punchline 1: Courtois walks onto the pitch like a bouncer at a VIP club—no entry for goals, and the line forms behind the crossbar.
Punchline 2: Getafe may bring the heat, but Courtois brings the firewall; even the ball signs a waiver before sneaking past him.
