October 25
Mourinho on the Verge of a Pleasant Surprise
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is growing optimistic about his chances of featuring in today’s *Clásico* against Barcelona. Having begun his recovery from the flu, there is now a possibility that he could travel to join the squad for the match.
Earlier on Sunday, Real Madrid had announced that the Belgian goalkeeper would miss the highly anticipated clash due to illness. However, according to British press reports, Courtois is now hopeful that he might be able to travel, join the team, and prepare to take part in the game.
It should be noted that the Real Madrid delegation arrived in Barcelona this Sunday afternoon without the Belgian goalkeeper.
In a related development, the Spanish newspaper *AS* reported: "Thibaut Courtois’s absence from the *Clásico* between Barcelona and Real Madrid is no longer 100% certain; his status has shifted from 'ruled out' to 'doubtful' regarding his potential participation."
The report added: "Courtois was a last-minute withdrawal from the squad to face Barcelona due to flu-like symptoms, but the situation has evolved. His health will be assessed over the coming hours, and should his condition improve, he will travel to Barcelona for the match."
Courtois, 34, serves as the team’s primary goalkeeper under the management of José Mourinho, having started every match for Real Madrid this season. Meanwhile, backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is standing by to step in should Courtois ultimately be unable to play. Both goalkeepers have been with Real Madrid since 2018. The Ukrainian goalkeeper, Lunin, has made 43 appearances in La Liga over the past five seasons, stepping in whenever Courtois was unavailable.
Real Madrid is taking a cautious approach regarding Courtois’s potential participation in Sunday’s match; notably, Ilya Voloshyn—a goalkeeper from the club’s third team—has traveled with the first-team squad.
Voloshyn, who has represented Ukraine at the U-20 level, has yet to make a senior-level appearance for any club.
Sergio Mestre is the other goalkeeper included in Real Madrid’s squad for the match.
Courtois remains a key figure for Real Madrid, delivering impressive performances this season. He has firmly established himself not only as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper but also as one of the best in the world, having kept a clean sheet in 98 La Liga matches.
Now in his ninth season with Real Madrid—having joined from Chelsea in the summer of 2018—Courtois has won 12 titles with the club, including three La Liga crowns and two Champions League trophies.
The Belgian goalkeeper’s current contract is set to expire at the end of this season, but he is expected to sign a 12-month extension, keeping him with the team until 2028.
Real Madrid enters the match trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by six points; however, the team’s form has improved in recent weeks, following victories over Sevilla and RB Leipzig.
