Courtois' bitter words are a warning to Real Madrid

After the match, the Belgian star shared: "I told Dembele that the pressure was too much, and he just replied: 'That's what I have to do'."

On a fateful afternoon at MetLife Stadium, Real Madrid suffered a comprehensive defeat against Paris Saint-Germain - a defeat that was not only a result of the score, but also a stern warning to Xabi Alonso and his students. Facing a PSG full of courage and desire, Real Madrid revealed their true colors as a team lacking organization, weak in reaction and weak in tactics.

To err is not human.

Many may point to the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen as an excuse, but the truth is that Real Madrid lost the game because of their approach. Silly mistakes from Raul Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger soon ruined Xabi Alonso's plans, while the attack and midfield were completely outplayed by PSG. The three goals conceded in the first half were proof of their complete defeat - in terms of game, spirit and ability to cope when pressed.

On the other side, Luis Enrique's PSG showed a contrasting face: fiery, precise and efficient. The French team was like a hunting machine, ready to punish any mistake of the opponent. The difference between the two teams was not the level of stars - but the organization and tactical discipline.

Without needing any in-depth analysis, the statistics alone are enough to make Real Madrid fans shudder. In the first half, their attacking trio only made one pressing move, and the only one to do so was Vinicius Jr. Meanwhile, Dembele - a former Barcelona player - alone put pressure on the opposition defense seven times.

PSG England 1

Mbappe, the brightest star, averages just 0.7 pressing phases per game - an unacceptable number in modern top-flight football. Vinicius is better, but only at 1.4. Meanwhile, lesser-known names like Arda Güler (6) and Fran García (5.5) are the most active in creating pressure. A Real Madrid rich in tradition cannot live on the efforts of a few young individuals like that.

Real also lost possession five times in their own half in the first half - two of which directly led to goals. The second half was even worse, losing possession eight times in the same areas. This was a direct result of not having an effective pressing system, something that should have been well prepared for against an opponent like PSG.

When pressing is no longer instinct

At the moment, pressing is no longer an option, but a requirement for any team with ambition. PSG understand this well and execute it almost perfectly. Dembele and Achraf Hakimi - the two attackers - cause an average of 7.6 possession losses from opponents per game. What is worth noting is that PSG often have 67% possession, meaning they have very little time to press - but they do it anyway.

Real, on the other hand, not only did they press poorly, but their reactions when they lost the ball were also slow and disjointed. This passivity allowed Vitinha to freely control the game, while Real's players almost just stood and watched. Courtois - the only one who played at his best - joked bitterly after the match that he had to "ask permission" from Dembele to stop pressing.

PSG England 2

This defeat is more than just a defeat. It is a reminder that Real Madrid are no longer the ideal model of modern football. When opponents have 77% possession (PSG have lost only one game in this competition), complete 402 passes (compared to Real’s 120), and win 74% of their duels, that says it all.

In the final third – the vital area for building up the ball – PSG had 177 passes. Real had only 57. The numbers don't lie, and they show that Real were "suffocated" from every angle.

Xabi Alonso has no shortage of talent, but this is the biggest challenge he has ever faced. Xabi needs to rebuild the pressing framework from scratch, requiring absolute tactical compliance from the stars. Bellingham or Arda Güler can be positive nuclei, but cannot pull the whole system together.

Real Madrid will have to change if they are not to continue to be overwhelmed by teams as well-organised as PSG. They cannot rely on individual talent and hope that Courtois saves. They need a coordinated pressing, quick reactions after losing possession, and an uncompromising fighting spirit – the traits that made the greatest club of the 20th century famous.

The defeat to PSG was a heavy blow to the illusion that existed within Real Madrid. And if they do not wake up from this MetLife shock, they will have to pay a much higher price in the fierce battles ahead.