Valverde cleared and Courtois back as Madrid open three-away week

📰 Madrid's Clásico win came at little cost: Valverde is injury-free and Courtois returns. 📌 Key points 🩺 Tests showed Valverde has no muscle injury. 🧤 Courtois, who missed the Clásico with flu, is back in training. 💪 Güler has a minor muscle overload but should be available. 🟥 Vinícius's four-match ban rules him out at Racing too. 🚌 Madrid play three away games in a week from 1 November. 📝 What happened 🩺 Valverde felt pain in the back of his right thigh after a sliding challenge in the first half of the Clásico at Camp Nou on 25 October. He carried on until the 62nd minute, and Mourinho said afterwards he had "played injured for more than 40 minutes". Tests on 28 October ruled out a muscle injury, and AS reports he is available for Racing. 🧤 Courtois was left out of the Clásico squad with flu-like symptoms, with Lunin starting in goal. He is back training at Valdebebas and is expected to reclaim his place. 💪 Güler, who played 90 minutes in the Clásico, worked in the gym with muscle overload rather than with the group. Local reports do not expect a problem. 🚑 Rodrygo (knee), Mendy (thigh) and Asencio (surgery on a shin stress fracture) remain out, and Vinícius is still serving his four-match ban for the red card against Villarreal. 📊 By the numbers • Valverde played 40+ minutes in pain (subbed off on 62) • 1 Nov Racing → 4 Nov AEK Athens → 7 Nov Valencia, all away • Five straight wins; three points behind leaders Barça 👀 What to watch 🧤 Courtois's return — Will the first-choice keeper go straight back in after his flu? Lunin, solid in the Clásico, is expected to return to the bench. 🔄 Valverde's minutes — He is fit, but there are reports Mourinho could rest him if he is not at 100%, with rotation key across three away trips. 🎯 Life without Vinícius — With the ban continuing, the Mbappé–Güler–Bellingham attack is tested again. 🔭 Why it matters Having cut Barça's lead to three points, Madrid face a pivotal week in the chase: Racing at El Sardinero on 1 November, AEK in Athens on 4 November and Valencia on 7 November.