Real Madrid have been dealt a huge double injury blow, with Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo both set to miss this weekend's Clasico against Barcelona.
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Real lose two key playersCourtois & Rodrygo to miss El ClasicoLos Blancos meet Barcelona on SaturdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Courtois and Rodrygo have been ruled out of the all-important Clasico clash. Per The Athletic, Belgian goalkeeper Courtois is set to be sidelined for at least two weeks with a groin injury, while Rodrygo suffered a right leg injury during the club’s Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. The Brazilian winger will undergo an MRI scan on Thursday, after which the club will get a clear picture of the extent of his injury.
Advertisement(C) Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With Courtois out of the team, Andriy Lunin is expected to take his place in the starting lineup. The Ukrainian goalkeeper appeared in 31 matches in the 2023-24 season and was instrumental in the club winning La Liga and the Champions League titles. Jude Bellingham, on the other hand, could be pushed up front in a more advanced role in Rodrygo’s absence.
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Rodrygo’s absence will surely prove to be a setback for Carlo Ancelotti, however, Vinicius Jr’s fiery form will provide the manager some assurance ahead of the Clasico. The Brazilian is fresh from scoring an incredible hat-trick in Real’s phenomenal comeback win over the Germans on Tuesday.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?
After the all-important Clasico on Saturday night, Ancelotti's Real side are set to face Valencia and Osasuna in La Liga respectively, and will also take on AC Milan in a Champions League fixture before the November international break.
