Real Madrid confirm devastating double injury blow before El Clasico

Real Madrid have been dealt two huge injury blows ahead of their crunch clash with bitter rivals Barcelona in El Clasico this weekend.

Los Blancos suffered a midweek scare in the Champions League on Tuesday night when they went 2-0 down to Borussia Dortmund, their opponents in his last season's final. However, a second-half hat-trick from Vinicius Junior alongside strikes from Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez ensured Carlo Ancelotti's outfit registered their second win of the newly revamped league phase.

Unfortunately for Ancelotti, the victory in Europe appears to have come at a cost.

Madrid have confirmed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has suffered a groin injury, with the Belgian likely to be missing for around two weeks, while winger Rodrygo has a muscle problem in his right femoral biceps.

The Spanish and European champions already have a few fitness concerns to deal with. Brahim Diaz is back in training while David Alaba is closing in on a return from his anterior cruciate ligament injury. Dani Carvajal is unlikely to play again this season after suffering an ACL blow of his own.

It promises to be a huge Clasico on Saturday, with Madrid needing a win to go level with Barca at the top of the La Liga table.

Hansi Flick's side sent another warning of their burgeoning talent with a dismantling of Bayern Munich on Wednesday, with Raphinha bagging a hat-trick in an impressive 4-1 victory.

Barca have also managed to welcome back influential midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Gavi in recents weeks, but there remain some areas of concern for Flick. Inaki Pena remains in goal following Marc-Andre ter Stegen's season-ending injury, while Marc Bernal may not play again in 2024/25.

Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres are all expected to return in November, but Ronald Araujo could be out for another month with his hamstring problem.

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