Real Madrid will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for Sunday's top-of-the-table clash with Barcelona while defender Antonio Rudiger is available after getting 20 stitches for a head injury. Courtois missed Madrid's final training session on Saturday, while Rudiger wore a mask. You can watch LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more on the US version of the network. Both Madrid and Barcelona are at the top of the table with 22 points. "Courtois feels good, but he hasn't trained much." He won't be available for tomorrow because he doesn't feel comfortable. He's going to train next week and we might see him next week. Courtois has not played since September due to a sciatic nerve problem and has been replaced by Lunin in Madrid's last four games. Lunin will start the most high-profile game of his career due to the fact that Courtois' recovery has taken longer than anticipated. There was a cut on his forehead when he scored a dramatic 95th-minute headed equaliser for Madrid. It's complicated, that's what the notebook says about Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
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He has to wear a mask to keep the wound from opening again. There isn't any pain. He's a warrior.
It was Madrid who went on to win the LaLiga title despite the fact that they lost to Barcelona in a competitive game.
Luka Modric was picked in an unfamiliar false nine position by the coach.
I don't want to come up with something new. When asked about his plans this time, he said that last time he tried to invent something, he was criticized for it.
The players are familiar with the players they have. This is another season and the game will not affect us. It's a very long season and it isn't a life or death game.