Real Madrid star could make surprise return vs Barcelona

Real Madrid walked their way to the La Liga title last season. But this time around, things will not be so simple. Barcelona have made their mark as well, and currently sit on the same number of points. Xavi’s side are top of the table though, thanks to their superior goal difference to Los Blancos.

Thus, Real Madrid must be keen to take their top spot back this weekend and the only way to do that would be to beat Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid have the home advantage going into the game, although Barcelona have registered some big wins at the stadium over the years. Both sides are dealing with injury problems at the moment as well, but in the case of Los Blancos, there is some good news.

Antonio Rudiger is expected to be fit for the game against Barcelona and it looks like there is a possibility that Thibaut Courtois could return to the pitch on the day as well. As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Carlo Ancelotti told DAZN about the Belgian goalkeeper’s situation:

"“Courtois trained this morning, the feelings are good. It is true that he has been out for ten days. Tomorrow we have another training. We’ll see how he feels. If Thibaut feels good, he’ll play the Clasico; if he doesn’t feel good, there’s no problem, we won’t force him. If he feels good, he’ll play; if not, Lunin will.”"

Real Madrid star could make surprise return vs Barcelona

Courtois is arguably the best goalkeeper on the planet right now and as a result, if he did make his return vs Barcelona then it would be a major boost to Real Madrid without a shadow of a doubt.

Ancelotti surely will want to have his best players on the pitch when his team take on their biggest title challengers, Barcelona, and Courtois is certainly one of those players. The Belgian has the ability to decide games on his own, which he showed in the Champions League final vs Liverpool last season.

Yet, if it looks like Courtois is not fit, there is no point putting him on and risking aggravating the injury. Andriy Lunin is a good back up option to have and has done a decent job between the posts in the absence of the Belgian.