Courtois trained with the squad, despite missing Elche game

The Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois trained as normal the day before the tie against Elche but because of the signs he was giving off to Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, as well as the medics' advice, the decision was made for him not to return, after having missed five games because of a back injury.

Courtois, recognised in Monday night's Balon d'Or ceremony as the best goalkeeper of last season, is getting close to his return after getting over the injury which he got on the pitch. 

On Tuesday he trained with the rest of the goalkeepers in the open training session with the media, warming up in the goal then doing specific exercises with Luis Llopis for the last phase of his recovery. His last game for Real Madrid was on 18th September, in the derby against Atletico.

The Madrid squad, delighted after winning 'El Clasico', as well as Benzema and Courtois scooping awards at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, ended their short preparation for matchday 10 with a light training session. Ancelotti got all his available players together, which is the whole squad except striker Mariano Diaz and midfielder Dani Ceballos, who continued their solo training following their recovery plan.

Ancelotti ended by naming the changes he will make to side which beat Barcelona in 'El Clasico' at the end of a session in which started on a tactical level, then focused on rehearsing free kicks and shots on goal, as well as playing in tight spaces.

October 18, 2022