- 14 hours ago
Real Madrid announce major injury after Mbappe blow
Real Madrid will be forced to do without another major star following the news from last week that Kylian Mbappe would spend a spell on the sidelines.
Mbappe is not expected to return for Los Blancos before the international break in October, and he will be joined in missing the Champions League clash away to Lille this week by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who faces a similar timeframe to recover as the France international striker.
Courtois picked up a muscular problem towards the end of Sunday’s 1-1 draw away to Atletico Madrid, after which head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced that the goalkeeper needed a test.
Real Madrid have now announced the outcome of this.
In a statement published on their official website, Los Blancos said: “Following exams today on our player Thibaut Courtois by the medical service at Real Madrid, he has been diagnosed with an adductor injury in his left leg. The evolution of this is in progress.”
Real Madrid team news vs. Lille
Madrid are well served in terms of a backup option, with Andrey Lunin ready to take over the gloves in the absence of the Belgium international star.
Courtois is, like Mbappe, forecast not to return to action until after October’s international matches yet his participation in El Clasico towards the end of the month is not thought to be in any doubt.
Also missing from Real Madrid’s trip to France is experienced defender David Alba as well as fringe players Joan Martinez, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz.
Lille, meanwhile, will be without former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti, Ismaily and central midfielder Nabil Bentaleb among others. Ethan Mbappe, Kylian's younger brother, will be fit after returning at the weekend.
Following the trip to Lille, Ancelotti’s side only have one further game to play in LaLiga, with a home encounter against Villarreal slated for Saturday.
Having drawn three of their opening eight matches of the season, all away from home, Real Madrid have presented Barcelona with a three-point advantage in first in Spain’s top-flight.