Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois out with ACL injury, will undergo surgery
Just a while after reports emerged claiming that Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had suffered a serious knee injury, the club have officially confirmed that the Belgian has hurt his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
“Following tests carried out on our player Thibaut Courtois, he has been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The player will undergo surgery in the coming days,” the official statement from the club read.
Given the nature of the injury, Courtois will now be undergoing surgery. It would mean a lengthy spell out on the sidelines for Real Madrid’s first-choice shot-stopper, with him likely to miss potentially the entire 2023/24 season.
This comes as a huge blow for the Spanish capital club just days before the start of the new season.
And it will certainly be interesting to see whether it forces the club into the market for a new goalkeeper or whether Carlo Ancelotti decides to count on Andriy Lunin in the absence of the senior custodian.
Given that the Ukrainian international had been made available for a transfer this summer, it would possibly indicate that he does not enjoy the complete faith of the staff and management.
So, it would not be a surprise to see Real Madrid dip their toes into the market for a new No. 1 in the coming days.
Courtois has been an integral part of the team and his absence will certainly be felt, especially at a time when the defence has looked a bit shaky heading into the new season.
Wishing Courtois a speedy recovery!
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rising star suffered against Atletico due to veteran forward’s absence, says Simeone
Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid was not the first time were in trouble this season. In fact, the Merengues have gone behind early in almost every league game so far.
However, the difference on Sunday night was that they never really mounted a comeback. More importantly, Jude Bellingham did not come good, for the first time.
Simeone unravels the mystery
A jubilant Diego Simeone spoke to the media after his side downed Real Madrid by three goals to one and spoke about a plethora of topics.
Interestingly, he commented specifically on why Bellingham did not have an impact at Civitas Metropolitano, citing the absence of Joselu as a key factor.
“No, the spaces were reduced and I think that Joselu’s lack of presence left him with fewer chances to get there, when he takes advantage of Joselu’s aerial play. We controlled him better, he’s extraordinary,” he said, as quoted by AS.
He even called out the refereeing on the night and insisted that the Real Madrid star-boy should have seen red for his late tackle on Angel Correa, saying:
“It looked like a sending-off to me live, it was a hard leg up, with Angelito hitting the ball.”
Ironically, he defended his defender Jose Maria Gimenez for an equally threatening tackle on the night.
“A bad foul, it’s a yellow card because it goes sideways. Bellingham goes from the front and I think it’s a bit more,” he stated paradoxically.
No time to lament
The game at Civitas Metropolitano may not have gone Real Madrid’s way. Yet, it is good for the Merengues to taste defeat early and see the gaping holes in their dynamic.
Carlo Ancelotti admitted in his press conference that he bore the lion’s share of the fault for Sunday’s loss and that he would have done things differently if given the chance.
“Maybe I could have done it better. It’s pretty clear. When the team doesn’t do what it has to do, it’s my responsibility,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Los Blancos have a hectic schedule ahead with two games in the next five days and a UCL fixture against Napoli next week. With Vinicius Jr back, one hopes they find their mojo once again.
