Thibaut Courtois extends recovery, misses Real Madrid training
Thibaut Courtois Set to Miss Third Game Due to Injury
Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, is facing the possibility of missing his third consecutive game due to a muscle problem he picked up while on international duty with Belgium. Despite returning to action for Belgium after a two-year absence, Courtois sustained a muscle issue during the warm-up for the second game, which has kept him sidelined ever since.
Courtois’ Absence Extends Beyond Precautionary Measures
Initially, Courtois’ absence was seen as a precautionary measure, with hopes that he would be fit to play against Leganes. However, as days passed, it became evident that Courtois would not recover in time for the upcoming matches. The latest reports indicate that Courtois is set to miss Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad.
Andriy Lunin Stepping Up in Courtois’ Absence
With Courtois sidelined, Andriy Lunin has taken on the responsibility of guarding Real Madrid’s goal. Lunin has played throughout the Copa del Rey tournament and is expected to continue in Courtois’ absence. However, coach Ancelotti’s plans for a potential final against rivals Atletico Madrid or Barcelona remain uncertain.
Updates on Other Real Madrid Players
Ancelotti provided updates on other key players, including Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos, who are working towards making a comeback for the upcoming match against Arsenal. Additionally, David Alaba’s surprising full 90-minute appearances for Austria raised eyebrows in Madrid, with the versatile player in contention for the match against Real Sociedad.
Potential Line-Up Changes and Tactics
Based on Ancelotti’s statements, it is likely that Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, Fede Valverde, and Aurelien Tchouameni could make a return to the starting line-up. Valverde’s versatility has seen him take on different roles in recent games, including filling in at right-back. Raul Asencio, who started at right-back in the first leg, could also feature in the upcoming matches.
