Real Madrid Announces Courtois' Absence from 'El Clásico' Due to Illness

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced to withdraw from his team’s clash against Barcelona in the “Clasico” just hours before kickoff due to flu-like symptoms, the club announced on Sunday. Real Madrid stated on its social media accounts: “Courtois is ruled out at the last minute for tonight’s match against Barcelona in the tenth round of La Liga due to flu-like symptoms, and Ilya Voloshin will replace him.” The first Clasico of the season takes place today, Sunday, in Barcelona, featuring a direct confrontation between two of the leading candidates for the Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded on Monday: Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé. Ahead of the highly anticipated match, Barcelona tops the La Liga table, leading Real Madrid, who sit third, by six points. Atlético Madrid are second, two points behind their Catalan rivals, after securing a 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday.