James McFadden has told BBC Sport’s Live coverage that Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be “relieved” after Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda missed a golden chance with the scoreline still reading 0-0. Real went on to win 3-0.
Celtic kept Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at bay for 55 minutes, as Madrid look to defend their Champions League crown. On 47 minutes, just after the restart, the ball was played over to the right of Madrid’s penalty area.
Josip Juranovic lashed a cross-shot across the box – finding Maeda. But the Japan international scuffed his shot. The ball bobbled into the hands of £253k-a-week Courtois – who should really have been picking the ball out of his net.
Speaking on the chance during BBC Radio 5 Live’s commentary, ex-Scotland attacker McFadden gave his verdict. He thinks Maeda should have done a lot better – and that the big Belgian goalkeeper will feel incredibly “relieved”.
“What a chance that is. Maeda just needs a good contact on it. It rolls to the relieved Courtois but it should be a goal to Celtic,” McFadden said on BBC Sport’s Live coverage, as Celtic could easily have gone 1-0 up over Madrid.
McFadden: Courtois will be relieved after Celtic attacker missed chance
What a chance it was for Maeda. If anything, the chance was made slightly hard given the pace of the cross from Juranovic. It was also a bit behind the Japanese ace, who will have been gutted not to react a second sooner.
Celtic had some wonderful chances. Callum McGregor’s effort was the closest they came, slamming an effort onto the post with Courtois beaten. So unlucky. But Madrid’s intensity and class shone through at the end, eventually winning.
But the Hoops can take plenty of confidence from the display, and the fact they really worried Ancelotti’s side. However, a moment of genius from Fede Valverde changed the game as he fed Vinicius Jr. Celtic must go again.
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