The Spanish goalkeeper is out after being injured during the warm-up of the match against Braga at the Bernabéu.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was the negative note for Real Madrid in the Whites’ victory over SC Braga on November 8, as the capital’s side won 3-0 on the fourth day of the Champions League group stage.
The starting goalkeeper of the Meringues, who arrived at Real Madrid last summer due to the long-term injury of Thibaut Courtois, was dropped at the last minute from the Real Madrid line-up to host SC Braga at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and had to replace him by Andriy Lunin on horn. In any case, there were no problems: the Ukrainian saved a penalty in the fourth minute of the first half and kept a clean sheet.
Video overview of Real Madrid vs. Champions League 2023-2024 Braga
Kepa Arrizabalaga, injured at Real Madrid: what does he have, how long will he be out and which games will he miss?
The expectation was that Kepa would be between the sticks against Braga, as happened this season without Courtois. However, in the warm-up, the former Athletic Club de Bilbao and Chelsea goalkeeper was left out of the eleven.
Kepa was not against SC Braga because he suffered a muscle injury during the warm-up before the match, so his place in Real Madrid’s goal was taken by Ukrainian Lunin.
Although there was no official medical report from Real Madrid yet, Goal learned that the Spanish goalkeeper has a small tear after the tests carried out on Kepa, which could keep him out for two to three weeks. He will have an MRI on Friday and more details will be known.
As things stand, Kepa will certainly miss Real Madrid’s match against Valencia at the Bernabéu next weekend and the international break with Spain (Cyprus and Georgia, the last two rivals in the European Championship qualifying stages).
It will be necessary to see if Kepa can return in the first match after the FIFA date, with Real Madrid visiting Cádiz on November 26. If he doesn’t, he could feature again against Napoli on November 29 or against Granada on December 2.
Source: Goal