Real Madrid confirms major fitness boost ahead of quarter-final clash with Arsenal
Real Madrid have confirmed that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to return from the injury sustained in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal on Tuesday. Courtois has missed Real Madrid’s last three games in all competitions with a calf injury, while Carlo Ancelotti’s side were in crisis before their defeat to Valencia at the weekend when backup goalkeeper Andre Lunin also suffered an injury. With both goalkeepers injured, Ancelotti was forced to hand 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez his first-team debut four days before the trip to Arsenal.
Tuesday’s game came too soon for Lunin, but Courtois was included in Real Madrid’s away squad before leaving for London.
The news comes as a huge boost to Real Madrid, whose defence has been left vulnerable by the injury to Ferland Mendy and the suspension of back-up centre-back Aurelian Joameni. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain sidelined for long periods.
Things could get worse for Madrid after UEFA launched an investigation into the actions of Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Dani Ceballos following their last-16 win over Atletico Madrid.
There were serious concerns that one of the four players, Rudiger, would be banned for his throat-slitting gesture, but UEFA chose to suspend Rudiger and Mbappe, so they will retain their places in Real Madrid’s starting XI.
Real Madrid are not the only team facing injury problems, with Arsenal centre-back Gabriel also ruled out for the season with a thigh injury. Jakub Kiwior played alongside William Saliba in the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Everton at the weekend.
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