Zidane is waiting for Courtois

Posted Saturday, March 30, 2019 by Marca.com

Real Madrid's second training session since those on international duty returned took place on Friday, with Zinedine Zidane unable to call upon Thibaut Courtois as the Belgian took part in gym work.

The muscular discomfort he felt after returning from the break prevented him from taking to the pitches at Valdebebas for the second day in a row and it puts his participation in doubt ahead of Sunday night's clash against Huesca.

Zizou made it clear in the aftermath of the Celta Vigo victory on March 16, his first game in charge since returning to Madrid, that he will count on both Keylor Navas and Courtois in the final weeks of the season.

That was likely an attempt to play down his inclusion of Navas in the line-up ahead of Courtois for the game against the Galicians, aware that the decision flew in the face of what his predecessors on the bench had decided upon.

Both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari favoured Courtois to the detriment of a Navas, who was left without Zidane, his main supporter, on the bench.

His situation changed after Zidane resigned on May 31, particularly with Madrid moving to bring in the Belgian goalkeeper as they looked to add competition between the posts.

All in all, it has not been an easy season for Courtois and whilst it didn't take long to oust Navas as No.1 goalkeeper, his performances have been far from the level expected of him.

The 26-year-old showed what he could during his impressive time at Atletico Madrid and, aside from the game against Huesca in the first half of the season, he isn't a goalkeeper who wins games by himself.

When the team has needed him, as has happened a few times throughout the season, he hasn't been as decisive as he was, for example during the World Cup in Russia last year.

Saturday will see the final training session before the game against Huesca and Courtois' intention is to show Zidane that he is ready and available.

The Belgian is aware that the return of Zizou has raised the bar in terms of what is expected from him and that is why he hopes to show the Frenchman his best level on Sunday, although it will depend on his fitness.

Although the muscular problem is a small one, it may still be enough to prevent Zidane from risking