Real Madrid keeper Courtois admits swipe at Yamal: Barcelona show us no respect

Real Madrid keeper Courtois admits swipe at Yamal: Barcelona show us no respect

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admits he took aim at Lamine Yamal after victory over Barcelona in this season's first El Clasico.

Yamal had gone into the game making some taunts towards the Real Madrid fans and also the team, but ended up on the losing team.

Speaking with Cadena SER, Courtois first touched on Yamal's pre-match comments: 0"I think when you're relaxed and comfortable, sometimes you can say things you don't mean.

"For me, Lamine is a great player and will make history for Barcelona. But he said that, it caused a bit of astir, and the press went against him..." -

Courtois then admitted: "I saw him talking to (Dani) Carvajal and then the little altercation broke out... so I said something to him too. As I said, when emotions are high, you say things you shouldn't.0

"But that's precisely the purpose of a Cl1sico. We needed this atmosphere, this intensity, especially after last year's four defeats. We need this intensity, this feeling that Barcelona is an enemy and that we have to attack them because even when they won, they showed us no respect."0

On claims of issues between the players and coach Xabi Alonso, Courtois also stated: "I don't think I have a bad relationship with the coach.

"But ultimately, there are always some players in the dressing room who are a little unhappy about not playing as much or playing differently. We always discuss it openly in meetings and there's no problem.

"When I read these articles, I say they're false. They're just rumours that are making a lot of noise."