Real Madrid dealt fresh blow as 32-year-old star picks up injury in heated derby against Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid have suffered another injury setback with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ruled out with a hip injury. The 32-year-old, who was in the centre of controversy in a heated derby against Atletico Madrid, is expected to be out for two weeks.
Real Madrid released a statement on their website which confirmed the abductor muscle injury to their goalkeeper. The statement said:
"After tests carried out today on our player Thibaut Courtois by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an abductor injury in his left leg. His progress will be monitored."
Although the club refrained from putting a timeline to his return, The Athletic reporter Mario Cortegana has claimed that that Courtois will be back in action in mid October. The Spanish giants' match away to Celta Vigo on October 19 is expected to be his comeback match.
With the international break coming up, Courtois is expected only to miss two matches for Los Blancos - away to Lille in the Champions League and against at home to Villarreal on Sunday, October 5.
Real Madrid goalkeeper hits back at Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid shared points in a heated La Liga derby at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday, September 29. The match came to a halt for 17 minutes in the second half after the visitors took the lead.
Aletico fans were incensed at Courtois' celebration after Eder Militao's goal and threw objects on the pitch, resulting in the match being paused for 17 minutes. The home fans, however, had the last laugh as Angel Correa rounded up the Belgian goalkeeper to level the score in the 95th minute.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone addressed the issue at the end of the match. He was critical of Courtois during his post-match press conference, saying (via Madrid Universal):
"We all have to help. The people who threw those lighters, as also happened at the Bernabeu when Courtois was our player and he received a lighter on his head, are not doing well."
He was critical of Courtois' behaviour, questioning that the goalkeeper provoked the crowd during the derby.
"But we, the protagonists, probably don’t help either when we underestimate people, we burden people, we provoke people and people get angry," a pragmatic Simeone said.
Courtois, on his part, was having none of his former boss' comments. He questioned that he did what he felt was best and the situation created by the Atleti fans was untenable for any goalkeeper.
"What did you want, that I stay there with everything they were throwing at me?" said a visibly frustrated Courtois.
Real Madrid are expected to field Andriy Lunin between the sticks for their next two matches before the international break.