Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: Courtois Faces His Biggest Nemesis, Bernardo Silva Aims to Surpass Del Piero
Statistics have revealed a concerning record for Real Madrid's Belgian international goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, ahead of tonight's clash against Manchester City in the Champions League.
Real Madrid will host Manchester City in the sixth round of the group stage of the 2025-2026 Champions League season at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Prior to today's match, Thibaut Courtois finds himself facing the team against whom he has kept the fewest clean sheets, both during his time at Chelsea and after joining Real Madrid.
Manchester City: Courtois's Kryptonite
Manchester City is the team Courtois has faced the most without managing to keep a clean sheet, failing to do so in 16 full matches. This is a clear reflection of the English team's attacking prowess and their consistent success against the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
The issue isn't limited to City alone. Courtois has also experienced difficulties against Paris Saint-Germain, whom he has faced 9 times without a clean sheet, as well as Newcastle United in 4 matches.
Courtois's Most Matches Without a Clean Sheet in His Career
| Team | Number of Matches |
|---|---|
| Manchester City | 16 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 9 |
| Newcastle United | 4 |
Bernardo Silva Nears Del Piero's Record Against Real Madrid
On the other hand, Champions League records show a list of the most troublesome goalscorers for Real Madrid throughout their history. Polish striker Robert Lewandowski tops the list with 6 goals against Los Blancos, solidifying his position as the player who has scored the most against Real Madrid in the competition.
He is followed by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alessandro Del Piero, both with 5 goals. Only one player still active in the Champions League is on this list: Bernardo Silva.
Bernardo Silva is the top scorer against Real Madrid among players currently active in the Champions League, with 4 goals in 10 previous encounters.
Should he score in today's match, the Portuguese player will surpass several legends like De Bruyne, Reus, and Shevchenko, and will share the second spot with Del Piero and Aubameyang.
These statistics underscore that Real Madrid, despite their historical dominance in the Champions League, has always faced opponents who pose a persistent threat, a scene that reflects the depth of competition in Europe's premier club tournament.
Most Goals Scored Against Real Madrid in Champions League History
| Player | Goals | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Lewandowski | 6 | Borussia Dortmund – Bayern Munich |
| Aubameyang | 5 | Borussia Dortmund |
| Alessandro Del Piero | 5 | Juventus |
| Bernardo Silva | 4 | Manchester City |
| Kevin De Bruyne | 4 | Manchester City |
| Marco Reus | 4 | Borussia Dortmund |
| Shevchenko | 4 | Dynamo Kyiv – Milan |
| Giovane Élber | 4 | Bayern Munich |
| Mário Jardel | 4 | Porto – Galatasaray |
| John Carew | 4 | Lyon – Rosenborg |
