Courtois refuses to accept he should be blamed for Chelsea's exit from Champions League

Thibaut Courtois has rejected the views of 'experts' who slammed his display during the recent Champions League encounter between Barcelona and Chelsea.

He singled out one Louis van Gaal for his criticism after Chelsea’s Champions League exit at the hands of the Spanish team.

The former Manchester United manager criticised the towering Belgian for allowing Lionel Messi to put the ball through the Chelsea stopper’s legs from a tight angle to give Barcelona the lead. Van Gaal actually cited that as the key moment in the tie.

Hear the Dutchman:
‘The game was turned upside down due to the blunder of Courtois, which I think is a big blunder.

‘If he’d have had (Ex-United goalkeeping coach) Frans Hoek as goalkeeper coach, he would have closed his legs. That just should not be allowed to happen.’

Courtois meets his tormentor-in-chief

Although he dismissed Van Gaal’s comments, the 6ft 6in goalkeeper admitted his height caused him problems with allowing balls through his legs.

The Chelsea man added:
‘I have often played against Messi and it was not the first time he scored with a shot between my legs.

‘For a goalkeeper of my height it is probably my weakest point. That is very annoying, but I have to face it. I have to acknowledge my mistake as a man.’