El Clasico turned out to be a challenging experience for Real Madrid, as they faced yet another defeat at the hands of Barcelona—marking their third consecutive summer loss in this iconic fixture.
This particular match was especially tough for young talent Endrick Felipe, who struggled in his first appearance in such a high-stakes game.
Despite Endrick’s difficulties on the field, Real Madrid fans and the player himself shouldn’t be overly concerned, according to the team’s star goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. Courtois highlighted that Endrick simply needs to alleviate some of the pressure he’s putting on himself, especially in such a significant match.
In an interview with *Diario AS*, Courtois compared Endrick to another player he’s familiar with—Eden Hazard—from their time together at Chelsea. Courtois noted, “He may not be very tall, but he’s incredibly strong in his legs. He reminds me a lot of Eden when I first met him at Chelsea—he had similarly strong legs. You can kick him, and he’ll still stand firm. He also has a lot of power in his shot. I’ve seen him shoot in training, and he hits the ball hard. More than anything, I think he just needs to calm down a bit. I’m not sure if he’s feeling a bit nervous, but he’s only going to get better with time.
”Courtois’s comments suggest that while Endrick may have faced a tough challenge, his physical attributes and potential are undeniable. His strong legs and powerful shot are significant assets that will likely serve him well as he adapts to the high expectations and pressures of playing for a club like Real Madrid.
Additionally, Courtois echoed sentiments expressed by Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, about the role of pre-season matches like El Clasico. He pointed out that while these games are exciting for fans and valuable for the players, they don’t necessarily predict how the season will unfold.
Courtois explained, “These pre-season games are great for the fans and for the people who come to watch us play. The stadiums are always full when Real Madrid plays. Of course, we don’t like losing to Barcelona—whether it’s a pre-season match or not, nobody wants to lose.
”He added, “But in the end, what really matters is the regular season. As Dani Carvajal said last season, we’ll see when it really counts. The match was a mix of young players and more experienced ones on both sides. It’s just part of the preparation.”
These remarks underline the broader perspective that Courtois and the rest of the Real Madrid team maintain. While pre-season matches are valuable for gaining experience and getting into form, they don’t determine the success of the competitive season. The true test lies ahead, when the official matches begin, and the team will need to perform consistently throughout the entire season to achieve their goals.
