Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the team’s Clásico clash with Barcelona with flu, the club said on Sunday.
Courtois, 34, is a key player for Madrid, but will now be absent for the LaLiga match at Camp Nou, which kicks off with Madrid trailing leaders Barça by six points in the table.
He will be replaced in goal by Andriy Lunin, 27, who has been a regular deputy for Courtois in recent seasons, including in Madrid’s run to the Champions League final in 2024.
“Courtois is a last-minute withdrawal from tonight’s LaLiga matchday 10 game between Real Madrid and Barcelona due to a bout of the flu,” the club said in a brief statement. “Illia Voloshyn has been called up to the squad in his place.”
Madrid go into the Clásico under pressure, having already lost twice in LaLiga this season — at Real Betis and Atletico Madrid — while Barcelona have won all of their league games.
However, Madrid’s form has improved since the international break, with Courtois playing a starring role, including in their 4-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig in midweek.
The visitors will also be without Vinícius Júnior at Camp Nou, as he continues his four-game domestic ban.
