Real Madrid suffer another major injury setback ahead of El Clasico vs Barcelona as key player joins Rodrygo on sidelines: Reports
Real Madrid have suffered yet another injury blow as Thibaut Courtois is reportedly expected to miss the upcoming El Clasico at home against Barcelona on Saturday, October 26. He joins teammate Rodrygo, who is also expected to miss the game due to injury.
The duo featured in Madrid's UEFA Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, October 24, where they came from two goals down to win 5-2.
Brazillian forward Rodrygo was seen holding his right leg on the sidelines shortly before Lucas Vazquez scored Real Madrid's third goal of the night. He was eventually substituted in the 85th minute for Aurélien Tchouaméni. Subsequent reports have ruled the 23-year-old out of the game against Barcelona this weekend, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Meanwhile, shot-stopper Courtois is also expected to miss El Clasico after picking up a muscle injury, claims Romano. It comes as a double blow for Carlo Ancelotti's men, who would be hoping to get a favorable result against league leaders Barcelona.
Ancelotti is now expected to be without the likes of Rodrygo, Courtois, Dani Carvajal, and David Alaba for the game.
Real Madrid and Barcelona set to square up without their respective number one's in goal
Both teams may have to field their backup shot-stoppers in this weekend's El Clasico. Barca are currently without first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who sustained a torn patellar in late September and is expected to be out of action for a long time.
Courtois is also expected to miss the high-voltage fixture. In his absence, Andriy Lunin, 25, could be in goal for Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Flick could opt to continue with the services of Inaki Pena in goal against Madrid or hand a league debut to new signing Wojciech Szczesny.