Kayode Akinwumi
Real Madrid came from behind to beat Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, setting the right mood ahead of Saturday’s El Classico. However, the taste of victory against the German side came with a bit of unpleasantness, with Madrid losing two important players to injury. Brazilian forward Rodrygo came off the game with a limp after sustaining a hamstring tear. Similarly, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is also out with a muscle injury.
Courtois has thus been ruled out of the much-anticipated showdown with Barca. The Belgian will be replaced by second-choice goalkeeper Andriy Lunin who has filled in for him twice earlier this season against Villarreal and Lille when another muscle problem ruled him out. Courtois may further miss upcoming fixtures with Valencia in the league and AC Milan in the Champions League. Further tests are scheduled to confirm the real extent of his injury.
With Courtois and his Barca counterpart Marc-André ter Stegen out with injuries, the Classico is set to witness two backup goalkeepers in action, reminiscent of the Spanish Supercup encounter between the teams last season. Barca made an emergency signing following ter Stegen’s injury, bringing Wojciech Szczesny on board. However, Goalkeeper Inaki Pena continues to keep ter Stegen’s place within the sticks.
Lunin is not strange to the pressure of playing at the highest level having taken a crucial part in the Los Blancos’ Champions League and La Liga triumphs last season. Notwithstanding, Courtois’ absence will be felt. He enters Madrid’s injury list again with Rodrygo, joining Dani Carvajal and David Alaba. Brahim Diaz returned to training this week but is unlikely to be selected for the Classico this weekend.
