Courtois in action during training at Real on Friday. — © EPA-EFE
Thibaut Courtois (31) will defend Real Madrid’s goal on Saturday in the league match at home against Cadiz (4:15 p.m.). His trainer Carlo Ancelotti confirmed this on Friday during a press moment.
It will be his first playing minutes of the season for the 31-year-old goalkeeper, who is fit again after a serious knee injury. He was already in the squad this week for the move to Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League. In that match (2-2), the Ukrainian Andriy Lunin was preferred.
“Whether Courtois could play in the Champions League final? Lunin will play on Wednesday. Then we’ll see”
Carlo Ancelotti
Coach Real Madrid
“Thibaut Courtois will play tomorrow (Saturday, ed.),” assured Ancelotti, who added that Lunin will return in goal next Wednesday for the return against Bayern. “Could Courtois play in the Champions League final? Our focus now is on Wednesday, which is a final. Lunin will play on Wednesday. Then we’ll see,” Ancelotti remained vague about new playing opportunities for Courtois. The CL final is scheduled for June 1 in London. Real or Bayern plays against PSG or Dortmund.
Spanish title
Courtois returned to training with the Royals earlier this month, after the Limburger injured his knee again during training in mid-March. A day later he was operated on for a tear in the meniscus of his right knee. At that time, the goalkeeper had only been training with Real again for a few weeks after being sidelined since August last year with torn cruciate ligaments in his left knee.
Depending on the result of FC Barcelona, which visits number three Girona on Saturday (6.30 p.m.), Real can win the Spanish title against tail team Cadiz this weekend. Barça follows in the standings, with five matchdays to go, 11 points behind Real.
© EPA-EFE
© EPA-EFE
© EPA-EFE