Big blow for Barcelona as returning Real Madrid star set to start in El Clasico | OneFootball

Real Madrid will be playing for their pride as they take on Barcelona at Camp Nou this evening.

Heading into this game, the biggest positive for Real Madrid fans and a significant concern for the Blaugrana was the return of Thibaut Courtois.

The Belgian international has made a return to the squad after a month long spell with injury. This was a period which coincided with some of Real Madrid’s most important matches of the season.

Nevertheless, Courtois is finally back in the squad, but many were questioning whether or not the goalkeeper would be fit enough to start ahead of Andriy Lunin in between the sticks.

Courtois to start against Barcelona

According to Diario AS, the Belgian goalkeeper is expected to start tonight. Alvaro Arbeloa is ready to rely on his number one choice despite the fact that he has been out for several weeks.

Arbeloa is ready to start with Courtois. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Courtois missed the Champions League games against Bayern Munich, but his recovery is now complete. The coaching staff feels that his presence is necessary to provide confidence to a defense that is currently missing several key pieces.

While Courtois is back, Real Madrid have suffered another blow. Kylian Mbappe has not recovered in time from a muscle injury in his right quadriceps.

The Frenchman was showing positive signs all week, but reportedly left in the last five minutes, before ruling himself out of the Clasico.

The Frenchman will be unable to help his team in tonight’s league Clasico, which could end with the Catalan side winning the title.

On a brighter note, Aurelien Tchouameni is in the squad. Arbeloa announced that the midfielder will not receive a sporting punishment after his recent altercation with Federico Valverde.