Overview
- Real Madrid host Atlético Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu needing a result to keep pace after falling four points behind Barcelona.
- Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed Thibaut Courtois suffered an adductor injury against Manchester City and will miss about six weeks, adding he halted the goalkeeper at half-time.
- Arbeloa said he has full confidence in Andriy Lunin to step in, calling the Ukrainian a great goalkeeper who will prove himself.
- Kylian Mbappé, back from a knee issue after a substitute appearance in Manchester, was declared 100% fit, included for Sunday, and cleared by the coach to join France in the United States.
- Jude Bellingham is available after his layoff and was called up by England, while Arbeloa praised Thiago Pitarch’s form, noted both could feature together, and lauded out‑of‑contract Antonio Rüdiger’s commitment.