REAL MADRID
Real Madrid goalkeeper Kepa injured: what injury does he have and how long will he be out?
Andriy Lunin will have a spell in goal after Kepa, himself Thibaut Courtois’ replacement, was injured before the Champions League game against Braga.
Tests conducted on Thursday morning have revaled Real Madrid goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga suffered an abductor muscle tear while warming up for Los Blancos’ Champions League home game against Braga on Wednesday, in which they sealed qualification for the round of 16. As a result, the 29-year-old is expected to be out of action for two to three weeks, which means he will miss the LaLiga game at home to Valencia on Saturday, as well as Spain’s Euro 2024 qualifiers during November’s international break.
Andriy Lunin set for another spell in the Real Madrid team
Kepa, signed on loan from Chelsea at the start of the season after first-choice stopper Thibaut Courtois tore his anterior cruciate ligament, had been named in the starting line-up to face the Portuguese club but was forced to drop out after hurting himself in the warm-up. Andriy Lunin was drafted in as a late replacement and kept a clean sheet in a comfortable 3-0 win.
Coincidentally, the Ukrainian had already been put in a similar position in the not-too-distant past, keeping goal against Real Mallorca in Palma in February after Courtois had also suffered an issue in the run-up to kick off. On that occasion, however, the 24-year-old couldn’t help his team from slumping to a 1-0 defeat. Lunin is expected to keep his place between the sticks against Valencia on Saturday.
Kepa signed as Courtois replacement
With Courtois expected to spent the vast majority of the season on the sidelines, Madrid had to move quickly to bring in Kepa, who had been on the verge of joining Bayern Munich. Instead, he made the switch to the Spanish capital and debuted in the third league fixture of the campaign away to Celta Vigo. Until Wednesday, he hadn’t missed a single minute in LaLiga or the Champions League, playing 13 consecutive matches.
Lunin is set for another short spell in goal after starting the first two matches of the season away to Athletic Club and Almería. In the second of those games, he played a crucial role in a Real Madrid victory, making seven saves as Los Blancos ran out 3-1 winners.
Bellingham injury update: will he play against Valencia?
Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, has returned to full training with his left shoulder strapped up following his awkward fall in the home draw against Rayo Vallecano last weekend. Manager Carlo Ancelotti opted not to risk the 20-year-old against Braga, explaining that “he feels pretty good, he’s not in any pain, but he had a problem last Sunday and it is too much of a risk to start him today.”
The Englishman was, however, named amongst the substitutes and a decision is likely to be made on Friday regarding whether he returns to action against Valencia. Fellow midfielder Dani Ceballos, who has made just four substitute appearances this season, is expected to be fit to play again after the international break.