Khaberni - Spanish Real Madrid, the record holder in the number of titles in the UEFA Champions League for football (15 titles), plays its match against its host Olympiacos in Athens on Wednesday during the fifth round of the group stage, in the absence of its giant Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to illness.
The royal club said in a statement that "after the examination conducted today, Tuesday, by the Real Madrid Medical Services team for our player, Thibaut Courtois, he was diagnosed with a viral infection in the digestive system."
It added, "He will miss the trip to Athens. His condition will be monitored."
The absence of Courtois is a significant blow for Real Madrid considering the major role the Belgian international plays in defending his goal, and Andriy Lunin will take over the goalkeeping duties on Wednesday.
Real Madrid holds the seventh position with nine points from three consecutive victories and one loss, which was against Liverpool (0-1) in the fourth round when Courtois excelled in blocking eight out of nine attempts by the Premier League champion, while the Greek team occupies the thirty-first position with just two points.
Courtois joins the list of absentees from Real, which includes Brazilian defender Eder Militao, German Antonio Rudiger, Austrian David Alaba, captain Dani Carvajal, French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, and Argentine winger Franco Mastantonio.
