Real Madrid face the Clasico without Courtois, Lunin starts

Real Madrid find themselves without their Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois a few hours before the Clasico against FC Barcelona, a match of the tenth round of La Liga. The club confirmed the goalkeeper's withdrawal due to a flu syndrome, forcing the Casa Blanca to revise its plans.

Absence of the Belgian goalkeeper

Real Madrid issued a statement clarifying that Courtois is a last‑minute withdrawal because of a flu. Illia Voloshyn, also Ukrainian, replaces him in the squad called up for the match. This unavailability leaves Real Madrid without its last line of defence before the decisive duel.

Andriy Lunin will take Real Madrid's goalposts from the kickoff. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has not yet played any official match this season, although he has been at the Santiago Bernabéu since 2018 after making his mark with Zorya. José Mourinho, the club's coach, confirmed his choice, recalling that Lunin has been on the bench on several occasions this season.

The decisive match

The Clasico will be played on Sunday evening at 20:00 at the Camp Nou, as part of the tenth round of La Liga. FC Barcelona comes in with a perfect record of nine wins in nine games and leads Real, placed third, by six points. The match promises an electric atmosphere, with both sides looking to assert their supremacy.

Mourinho sparks Courtois clash by praising Lunin before the Clásico

Until now, Courtois had played all nine La Liga matches and the three Champions League fixtures of the season. His presence between the posts was considered a major asset for Real's defensive solidity. The Belgian goalkeeper has been suffering from an infection since last week, which led to his withdrawal.

Consequences for Real

The absence of the first‑choice goalkeeper represents a significant loss of weight for Real Madrid, which now has to rely on Lunin to avoid any decisive error. Mourinho will have to reorganise the defensive line to compensate for the loss of the experienced goalkeeper. A single misstep in this top‑level duel could cost the Casa Blanca dearly.

Courtois warns: winning at the Camp Nou will send a strong message

The Madrid club emphasized the unexpected nature of the situation and the need to adapt the lineup quickly. Supporters expressed their disappointment on social media, hoping that Lunin will be able to meet expectations. Fans are waiting to see if the goalkeeper can fulfil the role against a fully fit opponent.