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REAL MADRID

Courtois' recovery going well

Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper is well on the way to full fitness as he recovers at home. The challenge is to stay in shape while cooped up due to the coronavirus.

Madrid
Courtois ayuda a levantarse a Joaquín en el Betis-Real Madrid. El meta belga se lesionó en dicho encuentro.
Toni RodriguezDIARIO AS

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (27 years old) is recovering well from the groin strain he suffered which, in principle, was going to keep him out of the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League last-16 match against Manchester City, postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The keeper, in lockdown in his house in the Spanish capital like the majority of his teammates, left the match against Betis limping in what was Zidane's last match before football in Spain was put on hold due to Covid-19. But the Belgian stopper is following his recovery plan at home and is close to full recovery, with the additional challenge being keeping fit while being unable to go out and about. The keeper posted a snap of his work-out equipment after a session on Sunday.

Courtois, tras acabar su sesión física, subió esta foto de sus aparatos.
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Courtois, tras acabar su sesión física, subió esta foto de sus aparatos.Instagram Courtois

Courtois one of Real Madrid's leading lights in 19/20

Courtois has been one of Real Madrid's leading players this season. He's only conceded 16 goals in the League (in 24 games, at an average of 0.66 per match) and was a solid contender for Spain's Zamora Trophy recognised the best keeper in the top flight. He won the title with Atlético Madrid in both 2012-13 and 2013-14. No Real Madrid goalie has picked up the award since one Iker Casillas in 2007-08.

Courtois has kept a clean sheet in as many games as he's conceded: 12. But importantly he didn't let one in against Barcelona across 180 minutes or Atlético Madrid, also in 180 minutes. He did concede one against Getafe in the 90 minutes played, with the return fixture still to be played at the Bernabéu. The goal he conceded against Sevilla (in 180 minutes) should not have counted, having hit Munir's hand. And against Real Sociedad Courtois was only beaten after disastrous error by Sergio Ramos.

All in all it was turning into a fine season for the Belgian goalkeeper, particularly after the criticism he suffered early on in the campaign. It remains to be seen how much more he'll play, even being back to full fitness.