Courtois ruled out of Real Madrid's Clásico at Barcelona, Lunin set to start in goal

A late absence for the Clásico

Real Madrid confirmed on Sunday, 25 October, that Thibaut Courtois will not play in the Clásico against FC Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou, where kick-off is set for 21:00. The goalkeeper was ruled out at the last minute because of a flu-like illness. The match is the tenth round of LaLiga EA Sports. Courtois had played every Real Madrid match this season until now, nine in the league and three in the Champions League, according to RTBF.

“Courtois is a late absence due to a flu-like illness for tonight's match between Real Madrid and Barcelona.”

Lunin and the squad

Andriy Lunin, the Ukrainian understudy, is expected to start in goal in Courtois's absence. Illia Voloshyn, another Ukrainian goalkeeper, enters the matchday squad to replace Courtois. The squad list also names Mestre as a third goalkeeper. Eight defenders, seven midfielders and five forwards complete the list, including Militão, Rüdiger, Bellingham, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Endrick and Mbappé. Before the announcement, José Mourinho had said that some of his players deserved more minutes, and among them he cited Lunin, according to La Razón.

Stakes at the top of the table

Barcelona, coached by Hansi Flick, have won all nine of their league matches so far, which gives them a perfect record in the competition. Real Madrid are third, six points behind, according to RTBF. Mourinho's side go into the match needing to cut into that deficit. The Clásico is the first of the season between the two clubs in this preview, and Real Madrid will be without their first-choice goalkeeper when it kicks off in Barcelona.