Courtois held the line, then Real Madrid ran away with it
Real Madrid 4–1 RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday. Thibaut Courtois was the reason it stayed that way early. "Thibaut Courtois was again José Mourinho's life insurance," wrote voetbal24.be (1). The score was still 0–0 when Courtois made the difference, and Madrid pulled away after that (1).
That is five wins from your last six in all competitions, with the home 4–1 over Sevilla before it. The one blemish is still Atlético Madrid 2–1 Real Madrid on 20 September.
Güler is staying until 2032
Arda Güler has signed a new Real Madrid contract running to 2032, per Fabrizio Romano (2) (5). Turkish outlets reported the deal landing after long negotiations (5). He is 21. That is your No. 10 sorted for the next six years.
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Mourinho has not picked his Clásico XI
José Mourinho has "more or less" decided his Real Madrid lineup for the Clásico at Barcelona on Sunday 25 October, 21.00 (4). More or less, because he still has doubts about it (4).
You go to Barcelona third in La Liga on 21 points from nine games, goal difference +14. The last five in the league read L W W W W (the Villarreal 1–0 win sits between Atlético and Sevilla).
Chelsea said yes to Alexander-Arnold
Chelsea approved a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Real Madrid reportedly open to selling, per footballtransfers.com's roundup (3). Xabi Alonso and Federico Valverde also feature in that same report (3). Nothing signed, nothing announced. Treat it as speculation until someone with a pen is in the room.
Calafiori is still on the list
Madrid have intensified their pursuit of Riccardo Calafiori (6). Arsenal will not let the Italian go cheap (6). Mourinho wants defensive cover, and Calafiori is the name that keeps coming back (6).
What comes after Sunday
Racing Santander away on Sunday 1 November, 16.15. Then AEK Athens away in the Champions League on Wednesday 4 November, 18.45.
Fan reactions
The Madrid faithful are split between pride in Courtois and nerves about the Clásico. The Güler contract is the one nobody is arguing about, and the Alexander-Arnold chatter is drawing more shrugs than anger. Match thread here.
