COURTOIS RULED OUT OF EL CLÁSICO AGAINST BARCELONA WITH FLU-LIKE ILLNESS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out of Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona after contracting a flu-like illness, the club announced on its official website.

The club described the Belgian international’s absence as a last-minute setback and confirmed that 19-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Illia Voloshyn had been called up as his replacement.

“Courtois is a last-minute absence due to a flu-like illness for tonight’s match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, corresponding to the tenth matchday of La Liga.

“Illia Voloshyn has been called up in his place,” the club said.

Courtois’ absence is a blow to Madrid ahead of the highly anticipated clash between the Spanish giants.

Barcelona head into the encounter at the top of the La Liga table, six points ahead of Madrid, who occupy third place, according to the supplied report.

The Catalan side have won all nine of their league matches this season, collecting 27 points, and will be seeking a tenth consecutive victory.

Such a run would match a record set by Real Madrid during the 1968–69 season.

Madrid, meanwhile, have suffered two league defeats, against Real Betis and city rivals Atlético Madrid.

Barcelona will also face the encounter without Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior, who is serving a four-match domestic suspension.