Ancelotti unfazed by Osasuna draw, Courtois’s injury

Up next for Ancelotti is a midweek Champions League clash at home to Shakhtar Donetsk and a win will put them on the brink of a last-16 spot

Ancelotti unfazed by Osasuna draw, Courtois’s injury
Carlo Ancelotti

Football legend Carlo Ancelotti is confident his Real Madrid side will bounce back following their shock 1-1 draw at home to Osasuna.

Los Blancos saw their winning start to the 2022/23 campaign ended at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as the visitors dug deep to claim a draw in the Spanish capital.

Vinicius Junior edged the hosts in front just before the break and Kike Garcia nodded Osasuna level after the restart.

The returning Karim Benzema crashed a spot kick against the crossbar, and despite a late rally, the home side were unable to muster up a response, but Ancelotti is unfazed by the slip up.

“The match has missed an intense rhythm. It wasn’t a good day, but we deserved to win”, as per reports from Marca.

“These are things that happen. We came from a very good streak and now we’re going to look for another one.

“When this team does not win, it’s never a happy time. A draw leaves us sad, but we are going to react soon.”

A draw means Real Madrid end the weekend dropping down into second place in the table, with Barcelona now leading the way on goal difference, after seven games played.

Up next for Ancelotti is a midweek Champions League clash at home to Shakhtar Donetsk and a win will put them on the brink of a last-16 spot

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have confirmed Thibaut Courtois will be sidelined for an undefined period due to a back injury.

The Belgian international was withdrawn from the match against Osasuna, with deputy Andriy Lunin stepping in to start, in the Spanish capital.

Courtois’ absence breaks his impressive streak of consistency in between the posts for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they head into a busy run of matches.

The club released an official statement confirming the 30-year-old was struggling with sciatic pain in recent days, following his return from international duty.

Despite not indicating their expectation over when Courtois will be back in contention, early estimates hint at a minimum period of two weeks of recovery for him.

That could push Lunin into an unexpected starting spot until at least mid-October, ahead of a Champions League double header against Shakhtar Donetsk, and a league tie with Getafe.