Real Madrid handed huge injury boost as key player returns to training ahead of UEFA Champions League clash with AC Milan: Reports
Real Madrid have been handed a huge boost as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is reportedly back in training. The Belgian shot-stopper could return to the pitch when Los Blancos take on AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, November 5.
Courtois suffered an injury to the adductor muscle of his left leg and missed out on last weekend’s El Clasico. The Belgium international last played in Madrid’s 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League but was ruled out of his side’s LaLiga game against Barcelona.
In his absence, Los Blancos suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Andriy Lunin deputizing in his stead. The Spanish giants were scheduled to face Valencia in the league on Saturday (November 2), but the fixture was postponed after a severe flooding incident in the Valencia region.
As a result, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will now focus on their next game which will be in the Champions League against Serie A outfit AC Milan. According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano on X, Courtois is back to training. Thus, he could be available to play when Real Madrid hosts the Italian club at the Santiago Bernabeu next Tuesday.
"Thibaut Courtois returns on the pitch as he’s preparing his comeback after recent injury," Romano wrote.
Courtois has missed three games this season due to an adductor injury. He was out of the team in Madrid's 1-0 loss to Lille in the Champions League and missed league games against Villarreal and Barcelona.
The 32-year-old has recorded four clean sheets and conceded 10 times in 12 matches across competitions this season. Following their shambolic defensive display against Barcelona, Ancelotti will be keen to have his first-choice back in the squad.
How have Real Madrid performed in the Champions League this season?
Real Madrid will hope to secure victory against AC Milan as they look to climb up the ladder in the league phase of the Champions League. Los Blancos are 12th in the standings at the moment with six points from three games.
They began their European title defense with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart. However, after that, came a shocking 1-0 loss away at Lille. In their last outing in the competition, the LaLiga giants completed a second-half comeback to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2.
Donyell Malen and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens scored to give the German side a 2-0 lead at halftime. However, the defending champions turned the tie around, with Vinicius Jr scoring a hat-trick alongside goals from Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez.