JUST IN: Courtois expected to play in ‘El Clásico’

Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, thinks that Thibaut Courtois will be healthy enough to play in Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti thinks that Thibaut Courtois will be healthy enough to play in Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona.

Real Madrid said Courtois would be out indefinitely with sciatica.

Courtois hasn’t played for Madrid since they beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 on September 18.

He’s missed three games in all competitions and will miss Tuesday’s Champions League game in Warsaw.

Ancelotti’s first-choice goalkeeper should be ready for Sunday’s match against Barcelona.

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Ancelotti said on Monday, “Courtois is much better.”

“He will start training on Thursday and be ready by Sunday, according to the plan. We talked to him, and he’s doing much better.

The Frenchman missed three weeks of games after hurting his thigh in the Champions League win over Celtic last month. He came back for the 1-1 draw with Osasuna on October 2, though.

Ancelotti said before the 1-0 win over Getafe on the weekend that Benzema was “a little tired,” so he left him off for the short trip. He will be back on Tuesday, though.

Ancelotti said, “Karim is fine, and it’s clear that he will start tomorrow with Toni Kroos and Ferland Mendy, who are both fresh and will play.”

But Vinicius Junior might need a break, since he has started all 12 of Madrid’s games this season, in all competitions.

“Vini is one of the players I have to judge because he has played everything before this trip. We need to judge him.”