Courtois returns to action for Real Madrid, but the team is severely depleted ahead of El Clásico. Álvaro Arbeloa faces the Barcelona clash with key absences after a string of last-minute injuries, leaving him with limited options.
Federico Valverde is the latest casualty. The club released an official statement following his altercation with Tchouaméni during training, confirming that Valverde will miss the match at the Spotify Camp Nou. As a result, Real Madrid will arrive in Barcelona with at least seven confirmed absentees and no fit central midfielders. Only Camavinga, academy prospect Thiago, and the uncertain case of Tchouaméni remain. The club fined both Valverde and Tchouaméni heavily, meaning the Frenchman will be available for the Clásico.
Valverde’s injury was confirmed by the club’s medical report, ruling him out of the trip to Barcelona. Meanwhile, Ferland Mendy became the latest injury blow, suffering a rupture of the rectus femoris tendon in his right leg shortly after kickoff against Espanyol, requiring surgery. The positive news is that Thibaut Courtois is back. The Belgian goalkeeper has recovered from a muscle injury to his right quadriceps, suffered during the Champions League match in Manchester against City, which forced his substitution at halftime. He has missed the last eight matches, during which Real Madrid lost three and drew two, effectively ending their title hopes. Lunin, who filled in, conceded 13 goals in those games, though the Ukrainian was not the main cause of the team’s poor form; the squad’s overall performance has been well below expectations.
Confirmed absentees also include Rodrygo, Güler, Militão, and Carvajal, all continuing their recovery processes. For the first three, their season with Madrid is over. Only Güler has a chance of making the World Cup, while Carvajal might feature in the final two league games to convince Luis de la Fuente of his fitness. It remains uncertain if Arbeloa can give Carvajal those minutes coming back from injury.
Dani Ceballos and Dan Carvajal on the bench at the Bernabéu.
Added to the list is Ceballos. The Andalusian midfielder is not in the coach’s plans following a disagreement two weeks ago. He was left out of the squads for Betis and Espanyol matches and also carries a physical problem in the semitendinosus muscle of his left leg.
Regarding Kylian Mbappé, medical tests have confirmed he has recovered from the physical issues he has been carrying. He was substituted injured against Betis on April 24 with a problem in his left semitendinosus. His presence in El Clásico is assured, though he might start on the bench to avoid the risk of a relapse that could jeopardize his World Cup participation.
The confirmed absentees for Arbeloa are: Carvajal, Mendy, Rodrygo, Güler, Militão, Ceballos, and Valverde. This leaves him with 18 available players (including two goalkeepers) and academy prospect Thiago, who joined the first team after Endrick’s departure since the new coach arrived.
