It was not an easy derby for Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian became the protagonist of the match after numerous objects were thrown by ultras from the Frente Atlético towards his area, forcing referee Busquets Ferrer to temporarily suspend the game.
Militao's goal in the 65th minute triggered everything. The ultras were chanting "Courtois, die" right behind the Belgian's goal, who, when Real Madrid scored 0-1, celebrated the goal by raising his fist towards the stands and shouting "Let's go!". When objects started to fall, the goalkeeper picked up several of them and took them to the referee.
At that moment, the public address system warned that if the throwing did not stop, the match would be suspended. And so it was. Objects continued to fall, and the game was suspended.
As he headed towards the dressing rooms, Courtois crossed paths with Koke and Simeone. It is unknown what he talked about with the Atletico captain, with whom he had already chatted after the initial throws, but there is a phrase that can be understood from his conversation with Simeone: "If you want, I'll stay here". The coach, meanwhile, gestured with his thumb and applauded him. Both the captain and the coach made several comments about the Belgian's attitude after the match.
"People said they felt provoked. It doesn't justify it. But that's how it is," said Koke in a press conference. "As professionals, we have to be smart and we can't harm our people for the actions of a few. Hopefully, it won't happen again, but as players, we have to be smarter," he added.
Simeone was much harsher on Courtois and called for a sanction "for those who provoke". "We are not victims because if we provoke, there can be a reaction, is it right for it to happen? No, but what we do, whether it's Courtois, Simeone, Vinicius, Messi, Griezmann... whoever it may be, is not right either."
In the final minutes of the derby, Courtois suffered a muscle injury that prevented him from taking goal kicks. Fede Valverde had to do it in his place, and eventually, he conceded the 1-1 goal by Correa that would end the derby in a draw.
After medical tests on Monday, Real Madrid announced that the Belgian has a left leg abductor injury. He will be out for three weeks, until the match against Celta on October 19. Therefore, he will miss the Champions League match against Lille and the La Liga match against Villarreal. Lunin has an opportunity.
The derby also made headlines in the international press. Le Parisien talks about a "sad derby in Madrid," La Gazzetta dello Sport about a "derby of shame" and "ruined spectacle," The Sun about "absolute madness," TyC about a "crazy derby"...
"Absolute madness," "chaos," "drama," "scandal," or a "ruined spectacle," among the adjectives describing a "sad derby" in Madrid, according to international sports headlines.