Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is set to return for the final stretch of the season after making a full recovery from two knee injuries, manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Thursday.
However, Ancelotti added that he will be cautious with Courtois, who has not played this season after sustaining an ACL tear in August and a torn meniscus in March. Stand-in Andriy Lunin will start Friday's La Liga match at Real Sociedad and Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg at Bayern Munich, but the Belgian keeper should be back next week. "I have to think carefully about the lineup moving forward. There has been a lot of wear and tear. Courtois is fine, he will be available next week and could play against Cadiz," Ancelotti told a press conference on Thursday.
Courtois's injury was expected to be a serious blow for Real's hopes this season, but Ukrainian Lunin has been an able stand-in, establishing himself as the first choice ahead of former Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Belgian's absence. Lunin was Real's penalty hero as they beat Manchester City to reach the Champions League semi-finals, making two saves in their 4-3 shootout win after an inspired performance as they drew their quarter-final second leg 1-1.
The 31-year-old Courtois, however, is widely considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world and is likely to regain his starting spot with a La Liga-Champions League double up for grabs. He was named Player-of-the-Match in the 2022 Champions League final after producing a memorable performance, making nine saves to deny Liverpool as Real clinched a record-extending 14th European title with a 1-0 win in Paris.
Real are brimming with confidence following their 3-2 comeback win over bitter rivals Barcelona on Sunday. The La Liga leaders' pursuit of a record-extending 36th Spanish title gathered momentum as they moved 11 points clear of second-placed Barca with six games left.
