Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois could return for Los Blancos’ La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao which will be on April 1, the Italian stated in a press conference on Friday.
Courtois and Militao injured their Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) earlier this season and were ruled out for seven to eight months. However, both players recovered exceptionally well and could be available for selection as Madrid enter into the crucial phase of the season.
Real Madrid are currently top of La Liga with a seven-point lead over Girona, and eight over arch-rivals FC Barcelona. The Whites are aiming to take all three points against Osasuna, whom they will face on Saturday before going into the international break.
“Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao have started training with the team. We will use the break to give them rhythm. I think they will be back for Athletic and the quarterfinals,” the Italian said in a presser.
Los Blancos were earlier drawn with Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and Ancelotti believes that it will be an equal tie with no team being the obvious favourites.
"We don't mind playing the second leg away. It's a difficult opponent but in the quarter-finals, anything else can happen," the Italian added.
“I think the idea is to win the competition and if you want to win it you have to beat the best. It could be that City are the best but we have to see that and if we want to win the Champions League we have to beat City.
"What prevails between the two teams is great optimism. We want to fight. I don't know what kind of thinking Manchester City have but I'm sure it's the same as us.
"Everyone has their own opinion. For me, it's very close and there is no favourite."
Remember, Man City and Real Madrid took on one another in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons in the semi-final of the tournament. Los Blancos defeated the Cityzens in one of the most memorable comebacks in history in 2022 and advanced to the final which they eventually won.
Pep Guardiola's troops handed Madrid a four-goal defeat in 2023 and went on to qualify for the final which they won by beating Inter Milan.