Champions League: Courtois out of Shakhtar game, to play against Barcelona

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has confirmed that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss Tuesday’s Champions League group match with Shakhtar Donetsk.

However, Courtois is expected to return in time for Sunday’s El Clasico clash with Barcelona.

There have been fitness doubts over both key players — Courtois is struggling with a sciatic nerve problem and Benzema was rested for Saturday’s 1-0 win at Getafe — going into the high-profile match, which will see Madrid and Barca face off for the LaLiga lead with both currently level on points at the top of the table.

“He’s much better today,” Ancelotti said when asked about Courtois’ condition in a news conference in Warsaw, where Monday’s game with Shakhtar will take place due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“We spoke to him before we left Madrid. He’s feeling better. I think he’ll start training on Thursday to be ready for the game on Sunday.”