Real Madrid’s Courtois Faces Derby Doubt After Champions League Injury

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is likely to miss this weekend’s El Clásico derby against Atlético Madrid after sustaining a hamstring strain during the Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday. The injury forced his substitution at halftime, with Andriy Lunin taking his place.

Courtois Injury Details

The Belgian shot-stopper was crucial in the first half at the Etihad Stadium, making key saves against Erling Haaland and Rodri Hernandez to protect Real Madrid’s 3-1 lead from the first leg. Although, concerns arose during the halftime break when Lunin began warming up as reported by Football Espana.

Initial assessments indicate a hamstring strain, with Courtois undergoing tests on Wednesday morning to determine the severity according to Yahoo Sports. While the extent of the injury remains unclear, it’s “all but confirmed” that he will miss the derby against Atlético Madrid on Sunday .

Lunin Steps In

Andriy Lunin replaced Courtois at halftime and made a confident appearance, contributing with several saves in the second half. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has repeatedly demonstrated his reliability when called upon .

Recovery Timeline

The timing of the injury is somewhat fortunate for Real Madrid, as it is followed by an international break. This provides Courtois with two weeks to recover before the final stretch of the season. A minor strain could see him return to full fitness within 7-10 days, but a more serious tear could sideline him for longer .

Pre-Match Injury

Interestingly, reports suggest Courtois may have initially injured himself before the match against Manchester City, playing through discomfort for the first 45 minutes as detailed by The Real Champs. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa indicated the substitution was a precaution, expressing optimism that Courtois might be available for the derby .