Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is reportedly working to be back for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Bayern Munich. The Belgian has been out of action for nearly a month after picking up an injury against Manchester City.
According to The Athletic, Courtois wants to be on the pitch to help Real Madrid overturn the first-leg result against Bayern Munich. Los Blancos were beaten 2-1 by the Bundesliga side, who will host the second leg at the Allianz Arena next week.
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The Belgian suffered a thigh injury against Manchester City, and the Spanish giants released a statement, saying:
“After the tests carried out today to our player Thibaut Courtois by the Medical Services of Real Madrid has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the anterior rectum of the right quadriceps. Pending evolution.”
He has since missed the last four matches for the club, and they have won just once in those games – the 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos have lost to Real Mallorca and Bayern Munich, and drew at home to Girona on Friday, April 10.
The possible return would be a huge boost for manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who hailed the former Chelsea goalkeeper as the best in the world and said last month:
“I’ve played with some of the best goalkeepers in the world, they’ve come to be considered the best in history. But I’ve never seen anyone do what Courtois does. There’s no debate, he’s surely the best goalkeeper in Real Madrid’s history. For me.” (via Managing Madrid)
Harry Kane and Luis Diaz scored for Bayern Munich in the first leg, before Kylian Mbappe pulled one back for Los Blancos.
Alvaro Arbeloa confident of Real Madrid comeback
Alvaro Arbeloa spoke to the media after the 2-1 defeat, insisting that his side can make the comeback next week. He believes that Los Blancos are the only side who can overcome the 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich and said:
“This is a defeat we perhaps could have avoided in the second half with a bit more luck. We faced a great team, and we knew it. Against this type of team, if you make these mistakes, you pay for them. This is what we need to confront. It’s clear that we scored a goal that gave us hope, and the pity was not converting one of the chances we had. It won’t be easy, but if any team can win in Munich, it’s Real Madrid.”
Bayern Munich face St Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday, April 11.
Edited by Sripad
