Real Madrid will face Barcelona in El Clásico without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was ruled out at the last minute due to a flu-like illness. The Belgian goalkeeper has a viral process that prevents him from competing in the tenth round of LaLiga at the Spotify Camp Nou. The club confirmed the absence via an official statement hours before Sunday’s 21:00 local time kickoff, forcing a sudden change in José Mourinho’s tactical setup as the team sits six points behind the league leaders.
Andriy Lunin Steps Into Goal for First Appearance Since May
With Courtois unavailable, Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is expected to start between the posts for Real Madrid. This assignment marks Lunin’s first official appearance of the season, having last played in a league fixture against Espanyol in May 2026. Lunin has previously played in four Clásicos, holding a record of three wins and one defeat against Barcelona while conceding seven goals. To cover the bench vacancy, Real Madrid C goalkeeper Illia Voloshyn has been drafted into the matchday squad, according to the club announcement.
Courtois, baja de última hora.https://t.co/XZ84TYRyza
Historical Precedent for Illness Absences in Madrid’s Goal
The sudden flu diagnosis continues a recurring pattern for the Belgian international during his tenure in the Spanish capital. Courtois has previously missed matches due to viral or stomach illnesses in November of last season, as well as separate incidents in 2023 and 2019. Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, various physical setbacks have sidelined him for a total of 108 matches. Sunday marks the first game Courtois has missed this season, having played every minute of the club’s opening nine league fixtures and accumulating 1,080 minutes across 12 total appearances.
League Standings and Upcoming Fixtures at Stake
The late roster change arrives at a critical juncture in the domestic campaign. Barcelona enters the fixture atop the LaLiga standings with 27 points, holding a six-point cushion over third-placed Real Madrid, who have accumulated 21 points. Following Sunday’s clash in Barcelona, Mourinho’s squad faces a quick turnaround before returning to domestic action against Racing de Santander on November 1, 2026, at 16:15 CET.
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