Real Madrid will be without their first‑choice goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, for the upcoming El Clásico against FC Barcelona, scheduled for 22:00 at Camp Nou. The Belgian keeper has been ruled out by the club after a “flu‑like process,” according to a brief statement posted on Real Madrid’s official website. Coach José Mourinho has named 19‑year‑old Ukrainian goalkeeper Ilia Vološin, who plays for Real Madrid’s reserve side, as the backup to compatriot Andrei Lunin for the match. Courtois, 34, had started all 12 league games Real Madrid have played in the 2026/2027 season, keeping clean sheets in matches against Málaga and Villarreal. He joined the club in 2018 and has appeared in 241 games for the Spanish giants, having previously played for Genk, Chelsea and Atlético Madrid. The first El Clásico of the season will also feature two Ballon d’Or contenders: Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid. The award will be presented by France Football in London on Monday, 26 October. Barcelona currently lead La Liga with a six‑point advantage over Real Madrid, who sit in third place. Atlético Madrid occupy second place, two points behind Barcelona after a 1‑0 win over Deportivo La Coruña. The match will be broadcast in Romania on Digi Sport and Prima Sport.
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