Courtois and Rüdiger in race to be fit for El Clásico
None have been able to train with the group today. The club will wait tomorrow to make a more firm decision with them.
The presence of Thibault Courtois and Antonio Rüdiger in Sunday’s Clásico will remain in doubt for at least another day. Neither player was able to train with the rest of their team mates on Thursday due to their respective problems. That means that their chances of being included in the squad for the Barça game are complicated, although not yet impossible.
Courtois touch and go
Ancelotti will wait until tomorrow when medical staff will check the evolution of both players before making a decision, although in the case of the goalkeeper especially, it is looking very unlikely that he will be declared fit to play. The Belgian has been working in the gym alongside the team’s physical trainer and his options of returning to train normally in tomorrow’s session depend on several factors. Right now, he has a 50% chance of being in the Clásico. If the decision is taken not to risk Courtois, Andriy Lunin will start in his place.
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As for Rüdiger, although he is more or less fine, he still cannot open his eyes completely, but he is not ruled out for the Clásico. As AS has learned, the club has been busy designing a variety of protective masks for him in case he is finally deemed fit for the clash.