CELTIC right back Josip Juranovic tonight admitted he was denied a goal against Real Madrid by one of the best goalkeepers in world football – Belgian internationalist Thibaut Courtois.
Juranovic had scored all five penalties that he had taken for the Scottish champions before the Champions League match in the Bernabeu.
And the Parkhead supporters who had travelled to Spain to see the Group F game against the holders were certain he would net the spot kick the visitors were awarded when Ferland Mendy brought down Liel Abada.
However, Courtois, who denied Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Giorgos Giakoumakis during the 90 minutes, got his left hand to the Croatian defender’s effort.
“It was a great save,” said Juranovic. “What can I say? Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers and he read me. It doesn’t matter, it happened.”
The 27-year-old felt that Celtic were unfortunate to have two penalties awarded against them when referee Stephanie Frappart ruled that Moritz Jenz and Matt O’Riley had handled.
Luka Modric and Rodrygo both converted from 12 yards to put Carlo Ancelotti’s superstars in a commanding position at half-time.
“What can we do?” he said. “It was unlucky. It was protecting the body and unlucky for us.”
Juranovic felt that Celtic acquitted themselves well against the 14-time Champions League winners and could hold their heads high at the end of the 90 minutes.
He is confident that Ange Postecoglou’s team will be better placed to reach the knockout rounds next season if they retain the cinch Premiership this term.
“I think that we had some chances,” he said. “But that is Real Madrid and we need to be proud that we showed that we wanted to play football here.
“That’s it. We are coming back next year stronger. We were trying from the goalkeeper to the attackers to play passes and we keep that mentality. If we continue like that, we will be back stronger.”
