Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois gave an honest assessment of the refereeing he expects in Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona, which kicks off at 3 p.m. ET at Camp Nou, when he spoke to reporters in the mixed zone at the Bernabéu following the 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig.

Courtois criticizes LaLiga referees and VAR ahead of Barcelona clash

The Belgian said he was not afraid of the refereeing decisions Madrid might face against Barcelona, as the question had suggested, but he was critical of the standard of officiating in LaLiga and the use of VAR.

“We’re not afraid of the refereeing against Barcelona. I trust the referees. They go into games intending to do the best job they can and, ultimately, they’re human and can make mistakes. Let’s hope those mistakes don’t always favor one side over the other, and that VAR intervenes in the situations it was introduced to address,” he began, before expanding on the use of VAR in Spain and refereeing more generally.

“I think when it was introduced in 2018, it was meant for clear and obvious errors, and I feel that in LaLiga, VAR intervenes far too often in situations where, in my opinion, it shouldn’t. That’s the feeling we have, and sometimes there’s a lack of clarity in what we’re told at the start of the season. We sit through an hour-long refereeing briefing, only for them to be making mistakes and doing strange things a week later,” the Madrid goalkeeper said.

Courtois ended by expressing confidence in the officials ahead of Sunday’s Clásico against Barcelona.

“As a human being, and as an optimistic, positive person, I believe they go onto the field with honest intentions. You can make mistakes, and that’s what VAR is there for. That’s all,” he concluded.

Courtois explains Vinicius’ frustration after Real Madrid substitution

Speaking to DAZN, the goalkeeper also discussed Madrid’s Champions League victory over Leipzig, including Vinicius’ state of mind and José Mourinho’s demand for better defending from his team at halftime.

“Mourinho wasn’t happy with our attitude defensively. He told us we needed to improve our collective responsibility. We did that in the second half. He was happy with us on the ball, but not without it. It wasn’t a major dressing-down, but he wasn’t happy,” Courtois revealed.

“When I saw how he was after being substituted... These are decisions, there’s a lot of competition. That’s how it is. Ultimately, it’s soccer. But emotionally, he was obviously pretty upset about the game. We saw him looking sharp, creating chances and getting some good shots away. That’s the level he needs to maintain and keep improving. Sometimes in soccer you go through a period when things aren’t going so well.

“But he’s a great player, and I’m sure we’ll see the best of Vini again very soon,” he explained.

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