Real Madrid celebrated their comeback in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund, but paid a high price with two important absences ahead of the first Clásico of the season. Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois will not be available for the October 26th match against Barcelona, complicating Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the crucial clash at the Santiago Bernabéu.
How many matches will Courtois and Rodrygo miss with Real Madrid?
The first setback came with Rodrygo, who suffered a muscle injury during the game against Dortmund. While the club has not yet provided details on the severity of the injury, several reports point to a hamstring issue in his right leg. A more precise diagnosis is expected after an MRI, but it seems unlikely that the Brazilian will be fit in time for El Clásico.
Adding to this, Courtois' injury came as a surprise, confirmed by the club in a statement revealing another muscle problem in his left adductor. This is the second muscle injury the Belgian goalkeeper has suffered this season, after missing three weeks following the match against Atlético Madrid due to a similar issue. If his recovery follows the same timeline, Courtois could return between November 6th and 13th.
The goalkeeper’s absence will also affect the team’s upcoming fixtures. Real Madrid will face Barcelona on October 26th, followed by Valencia on November 2nd, and then continue their Champions League campaign against AC Milan on November 5th. Depending on his recovery, Courtois could reappear for the match against the Italians, or more likely for the November 9th game against Osasuna.
With these absences, Ancelotti will have to restructure his lineup for El Clásico, as the team strives to maintain their strong form in both domestic and European competitions. Rodrygo's absence leaves a gap in the attack, while Courtois' injury impacts the defensive stability of the squad.
