Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out of his team’s El Clásico clash with Barcelona after coming down with a flu-like illness, the club announced on its website on Sunday.
Described as a “last-minute absence,” the club said the Belgian will be replaced by 19-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Illia Voloshyn.
“Courtois is a last-minute absence due to a flu-like illness for tonight’s match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, corresponding to the tenth matchday of La Liga.
“Illia Voloshyn has been called up in his place,” the statement noted.
Courtois, 34, is a key player for Madrid and will be missing, though it is hoped his absence can be covered in the intense La Liga meeting between the two giant clubs.
Barcelona top the domestic table, six points ahead of Madrid, who are in third place.
The Catalan club has won all nine of its league games this season, collecting 27 points. They are hoping to make today’s match their tenth straight league win, a record set by Madrid in 1968-69.
Madrid, meanwhile, have lost two of their league matches, falling to Real Betis and Atletico Madrid.
The visitors will also be missing their Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior, who is still serving a four-game domestic ban.
