The key facts

  • Thibaut Courtois will miss El Clásico due to the flu, Real announced on its official website
  • 19-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Ilya Voloshyn has been included in the squad in his place
  • The Barcelona — Real match will take place on October 26 at 01:00 Tashkent time; Barcelona lead with 27 points, Real are third with 21 points

Courtois to miss Barcelona match due to illness

Real Madrid and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not play in the Round 10 match of the Spanish championship against Barcelona. This was announced on the official website of the Madrid club. According to the club, the goalkeeper fell ill with the flu on the eve of the game.

Who will replace Courtois in the squad

In place of Courtois 19-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Ilya Voloshyn has been included in the squad, Kun.uz reports. The Barcelona — Real match will take place on October 26 at the Spotify Camp Nou stadium and will kick off at 01:00 Tashkent time.

Standings ahead of El Clásico

Ahead of the head-to-head meeting Barcelona have collected 27 points after nine games and top the table of the championship. Real sit third with 21 points. The loss of their first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the match against a direct rival significantly complicates the task for the Madrid side: the six-point gap means that a defeat in El Clásico would noticeably increase the leader's advantage, while a win would allow Real to cut it to a minimum. At the same time, club sources have not said how long Courtois will be out due to the illness — only his absence for this match is known.