Real Madrid Announces Courtois's Absence from El Clásico
Real Madrid has announced that its Belgian goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, will miss the anticipated El Clásico match in the tenth round of the Spanish league, this Sunday evening against Barcelona, due to the flu.
The Royal Club said in a statement: "Courtois has withdrawn at the last minute from tonight's match between Real Madrid and Barcelona due to the flu, and Illia Voloshyn (19) has been called up to the squad to replace him."
According to the Spanish press, Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin will start the match, noting that he has not played a single minute this season.
The Royal Club's star, Brazilian Vinícius, will also miss the El Clásico match due to a suspension.
The first El Clásico of the season will be held on Sunday in Barcelona, a match that pits two of the top contenders for the Ballon d'Or, which will be announced on Monday, in a direct confrontation: Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and Real's French star Kylian Mbappé.
Ahead of the anticipated showdown, Barcelona leads the Spanish league standings, six points ahead of third-placed Real Madrid.
Source: Open sources
