Sports Desk, CricBengal: Just hours before the highly anticipated ‘El Clásico’, Real Madrid has been dealt a massive blow. The Galácticos will be without their star Belgian goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, for tonight’s high-voltage clash against bitter rivals Barcelona. The veteran shot-stopper has been ruled out of the crucial fixture after contracting a fever.
Real Madrid confirmed the news through an official statement. The club revealed that Courtois was withdrawn from the squad right before the Matchday 10 La Liga encounter due to flu-like symptoms. In his absence, young goalkeeper Ilya Voloshyn has been added to the matchday squad.
Courtois has made 12 appearances across all competitions for Los Blancos this season, conceding 14 goals and managing to keep only two clean sheets.
With the first-choice keeper sidelined, Ukrainian international Andriy Lunin is highly expected to step up and guard the net in Real Madrid’s starting XI against Barcelona.
The current La Liga standings add even more pressure to tonight’s heavyweight clash. Barcelona enters the match sitting at the top of the table with 27 points. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid currently holds the third spot with 21 points, desperately looking for a crucial win to close the gap.
