In the lead-up to this weekend’s highly anticipated El Clásico, Real Madrid have faced a couple of significant blows. The Spanish and European champions have announced that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the crucial match against Barcelona due to a groin injury. The estimated recovery time for the Belgian goalie is around two weeks, which could mean he’s out of commission for the next few matches.
Another key player, Rodrygo, has also picked up a muscle problem in his right femoral biceps, which is likely to keep him sidelined for a spell. The injury woes come amid an already lengthy injury list for Los Blancos, which includes Brahim Diaz, who is back in training, and David Alaba, who is closing in on a return from his anterior cruciate ligament injury. Dani Carvajal, on the other hand, is unlikely to play again this season due to an ACL injury he suffered earlier in the campaign.
Courtois’s absence will be a significant blow to Real Madrid’s chances of taking home the three points, as he has been one of the team’s most consistent performers this season. With the Belgian’s impressive record in big games, his loss will undoubtedly be felt by the team.
Real Madrid are looking to close the gap with bitter rivals Barcelona, who sit atop the La Liga table. The stakes will be high this weekend, and the injury to Courtois will make it even more challenging for Ancelotti’s men to achieve victory. However, they will look to their other goalkeepers and players to step up and make a significant impact in the must-win game.
On the other hand, Barcelona, now under the guidance of Hansi Flick, have been building momentum, with a recent 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The return to form of key midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Gavi has also given the team a significant boost. However, they will still be concerned about the fitness of players such as Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is out for the season, and Marc Bernal, who may not play again this year. Additionally, Ronald Araujo is expected to miss another month with his hamstring problem, while Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, and Ferran Torres are all expected to return to fitness in November.
For Real Madrid, this weekend’s El Clásico will be a test of their depth and resilience. With so many players on the injury list, it will require a collective effort from the squad to come out on top against their arch-rivals.
