Real Madrid have been dealt a major blow to El Clasico as Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out with flu
Real Madrid suffered a late setback ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ruled out of the La Liga clash with flu. Barcelona will also miss midfielder Dani Olmo, who should spend about a month on the sidelines with an adductor injury.
Real Madrid confirmed Courtois’ withdrawal shortly before the meeting of the Spanish giants, as his replacement Illia Voloshyn was called into the lineup.
“Courtois is a late withdrawal from today’s La Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona due to flu. Illia Voloshyn has been called up in his place,” the club said in a statement.
The absence of the Belgian goalkeeper is a big concern for Real Madrid ahead of one of the most important matches of its season. With pressure mounting from the side, they will have to adjust their plans for a game that could have major implications for the La Liga title race.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will be without Olmo after the Spain international suffered a left adductor injury during Tuesday’s 4-2 Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.
Olmo was forced off in the 27th minute after a collision with PSG midfielder Vitinha and was replaced by Fermin Lopez. Subsequent tests confirmed the extent of the injury, with Barcelona estimating the midfielder will be out for around four weeks.
“Tests carried out have confirmed that Dani Olmo is suffering from a left adductor injury. The player is expected to be out for about a month,” Barcelona said.
Olmo’s absence is yet another setback for manager Hansi Flick as Barcelona prepare to host their fiercest rivals at Camp Nou on Sunday night.
TITLE RACE IN FOCUS
The stakes are high for both sides heading into the final year of Spanish football’s biggest rivalry. Barcelona could extend their lead over Real Madrid to nine points with a win and put further pressure on their title rivals.
However, a win for Real Madrid would cut the gap to three points and give a team looking to reverse their recent luck against Barcelona a big confidence boost. Real have lost six of their last seven Clasico matches, so Sunday’s game is an opportunity to change the narrative.
The competition will also mark José Mourinho’s return to the Clasico spotlight. The Portuguese manager, 63, has plenty of experience in the rivalry, facing Barcelona 27 times during his first spell at the club and managing Real Madrid in 17 Clasicos.
Mourinho was appointed by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez in 2010 to challenge the Barcelona side led by Pep Guardiola. His tenure coincided with some of the fiercest encounters between the two clubs in modern times.
Although Mourinho won just one of his first 10 Clasicos, he ended his first spell with a five-game unbeaten run against Barcelona, recording three victories during that time.
His return offers Real Madrid an opportunity to rediscover a winning formula against their rivals. The club have suffered an uneven start to their La Liga campaign, suffering two defeats in their opening nine matches, while their performances have often drawn boos from their own supporters.
Sunday’s clash will also feature a fresh crop of players, with up to 14 new faces potentially making their Clasico debuts. The two clubs made six signings during the close season, while Barcelona also promoted two academy players to their senior squad.
With Courtois unavailable, Olmo missing from Barcelona and Mourinho back at the center of the rivalry, the latest Clasico carries significant implications for both teams as the La Liga title battle heats up.
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