Thibaut Courtois is practically ruled out for Sunday's derby against Atlético Madrid at the Bernabéu, and concern at Real Madrid is growing by the hour. According to AS, initial medical evaluations indicate a tear in his right adductor, and the severity of the injury will determine whether the Belgian goalkeeper can take the field in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. What initially seemed like just a strain, felt at the Etihad, is beginning to reveal itself as a more serious problem. The feelings are increasingly pessimistic, and although the red alert has not yet been raised, the situation is one of great apprehension. Lunin is preparing to take over as the starter. Courtois's discomfort began even before the match against Manchester City, during warm-up exercises. The goalkeeper felt a sting but considered it bearable, and after a quick assessment with the medical team, he decided to play. However, at halftime, with the score tied and Real Madrid having a numerical advantage, it was decided to substitute him to avoid worsening the injury. The decisive day to determine the extent of the problem will be Thursday. The player and the doctors agreed that Wednesday would be a rest day, a common practice to allow inflammation to decrease and make magnetic resonance imaging more accurate. Courtois, who returned early in the morning with the team, stayed home and will undergo tests in the morning. 'We'll see,' the goalkeeper stated in the corridors of the Etihad, at a time when he was still not limping, which brought some initial relief. With about 20 days until the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, the injury would have to be serious to keep him out of that tie. However, for now, there are no certainties. His absence in the derby is almost a given, which will lead Lunin to his fourth start of the season. Courtois is the most used player in the squad, with 3,645 minutes, having missed only three of the 44 matches played this season, specifically against Talavera, Albacete, and in Athens.
Derby Almost Discarded Risk Thibaut Courtois remains central to this story.
Derby Almost Discarded Risk Thibaut Courtois remains central to this story.
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