- Real Madrid will face Barcelona in El Clásico on Saturday night.
- Two of their key players have been ruled out for the top-of-the-table clash.
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Real Madrid will face LaLiga rival Barcelona without two key players on Saturday night after suffering a double injury setback.
The first Clásico of the season will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend, with both teams looking to leave a marker.
But Madrid’s task has become more difficult after receiving some disappointing injury news in the last 24 hours.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered a muscle strain in his left leg during Madrid’s 5-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday and has been ruled out for Saturday’s match.
He will be accompanied on the bench by Brazilian striker Rodrygo, who also suffered a muscle problem in the same match.
Thibaut Courtois (second right) and Rodrygo (right) are ruled out for the Clásico
The double injury is a major setback for Carlo Ancelotti as his team prepares to face Barcelona
Rodrygo will undergo further tests on Thursday and is expected to return for next week’s game against Valencia, but Saturday’s Clasico will come too soon for him.
Madrid no longer has Daniel Alaba and Dani Carvajal, and Carlo Ancelotti now has more national team headaches.
Los Blancos will also face a Barcelona side in excellent form after Hansi Flick’s men defeated Bayern Munich 4-1 on Wednesday night.
Raphinha scored a hat-trick and Robert Lewandowski scored as Barcelona put their German opponents to the sword.
Barcelona are also flying in LaLiga, having opened up a three-point lead over Madrid after winning nine of their first 10 games.
Barcelona are flying at the moment after Raphinha scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
However, Madrid are unbeaten and showed their class by coming back from two goals down to beat Dortmund in the Champions League this week.
The defending LaLiga champions will not be easy prey, but must now try to get a positive result against their bitterest rivals, although they will miss some of their best players.
