Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off at halftime during Tuesday’s Champions League Round of 16 clash against Manchester City, with Andriy Lunin entering in relief. According to a report from Spain’s Onda Cero, the Belgian veteran appeared to aggravate a overloaded right abductor during the first half at the Etihad Stadium.
Courtois entered the high-stakes second leg under a cloud of fitness concerns, having struggled with a lingering hamstring strain throughout the week.
Despite entering the second leg with a commanding aggregate lead over Manchester City, the loss of their primary “guardian” between the posts has cast a sudden shadow over Los Merengues’ otherwise dominant European campaign.
While Courtois has remained Alvaro Arbeloa’s primary choice for the competition, the Ukrainian international Lunin has proved a reliable deputy.
Is it the same injury that Courtois suffered last season?
Fortunately for Real Madrid, Courtois has avoided a repeat of the devastating knee injury that sidelined him last season. While his previous absence was a long-term recovery battle, today’s halftime exit was reportedly a precautionary move due to muscle overload in his right abductor.
With the club competing on multiple fronts, any extended period without its star shot-stopper would present a massive hurdle for Arbeloa’s squad.
Real Madrid were already holding a comfortable aggregate lead over City, with the Ukrainian keeper tasked with protecting that advantage to secure their place in the final eight.