Real Madrid has confirmed that the club will be without their goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois against Manchester City in the return leg of their Champions League round of 16 games. The Belgian goalkeeper is said to have suffered a groin injury after their La Liga match against Real Betis on Sunday night. The Blancos also confirmed that Brazilian defender, Marcelo is also down with a knock.
The Belgian international striker was able to end the La Liga game against Real Betis on Sunday as the Blancos suffered a humiliating defeat of two goals from the Real Betis to a lone goal from Real Madrid. However, Courtois was seen hobbling after the match which warrants suspicion for his appearance in the next game for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s medical team have confirmed that the goal stopper will not be able to feature in their Champions League game against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
This was revealed via a post on Madrid’s official website which reads; “Following tests carried out today on Thibaut Courtois by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to his left adductor muscle. His recovery will be monitored.”
Expectedly, with Courtois ruled out, Zinedine Zidane will be left with Alphonse Areola to stand in the gap for the Belgian goal stopper. The Frenchman has only featured in about eight games for the Spanish team after he was signed from Paris Saint-Germain. Reasonably, Areola will have to step up in his game because the fate and success of Real Madrid will be in his hands a couple of times until Courtois returns from injury.
Also, Brazilian defender, Marcelo has been diagnosed with a muscular lesion in the left femoral biceps. In a post published on the club’s website, “After tests carried out today on Marcelo by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscular lesion in the left femoral biceps.”
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was served a red card during their first leg against Manchester City which ended in favor of the English club. Real Madrid will have to do all they can to overturn Manchester City if they want to continue with their Champions League adventure.
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