Thibaut Courtois, the first-choice goalkeeper for Real Madrid, will be absent from the team's lineup for at least six weeks as he recovers from a thigh injury. The injury was sustained during the UEFA Champions League match against Manchester City, where the 33-year-old Belgian was substituted at halftime. The club confirmed the severity of his injury, which has been reported to potentially extend his recovery period to as long as eight weeks, depending on his progress.

Real Madrid emphasizes the significance of Courtois's absence as they are set to compete against local rivals Atletico Madrid before the upcoming international break, and later face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals in early April. Courtois has played a pivotal role in this season, participating in 41 matches across all competitions and achieving 16 clean sheets, reflecting his impact on the team's defensive unit.

The situation places additional pressure on the team's defense as they face crucial matches without their star goalkeeper. Andrii Lunin, who replaced Courtois during the match against Manchester City, will likely take over goalkeeping duties in the coming fixtures. This injury not only poses a challenge for Real Madrid's immediate game plan but may also affect their overall performance in the Champions League, where they aim to progress deeper into the tournament without their key player.