Who is Andriy Lunin or Thibaut Courtois? Carlo Ancelotti is faced with a "very challenging" task.
The only player who did not practice on Monday as Madrid started their last week of preparations was Lunin, who was suffering from a fever.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid is aware that he must make a difficult choice over the starting goal for Saturday’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
Will he go with Thibaut Courtois, the seasoned winner of the Champions League who has just made a comeback from injury, or Andriy Lunin, who has been in goal for almost the entire season?
“It’s very challenging,” Ancelotti declared on Monday. Naturally, it’s quite challenging since they both ought to be in this final. Lunin for his outstanding season and Courtois for his return from injury and widespread recognition of his talent. Although it’s a tough choice, I have no doubt that I will make it before the game.
With Madrid starting their last week of preparations on Monday, Lunin was the only player not to train due to a fever. However, Ancelotti stated that the Ukrainian player, 25, was anticipated to be available for the London final on Saturday.
Though Courtois hasn’t played much this season, many had already anticipated Ancelotti to start with the more seasoned Courtois, so Lunin’s chances aren’t helped by the illness.
Just two days before the season began, in August of last year, Courtois tore his left knee ligament. Just when he was about to make a comeback, the 32-year-old Belgian also tore the meniscus in his right knee in March.
He wasn’t used until the beginning of this month, when he made his debut in Madrid’s 3-0 victory against Cadiz, which sealed the team’s 36th Spanish league championship.
In the semi-finals of the Champions League, Madrid defeated Bayern Munich with Lunin back in goal. In the quarterfinal shootout victory over Manchester City, he had saved two penalties.
The second backup goalkeeper for Madrid, Kepa Arrizabalaga, is a former Chelsea player, but Lunin has earned the starting spot. Lunin, according to Ancelotti, is currently the best goalie in the world.
Though he has won multiple trophies, including the FA Cup, Europa League, Copa del Rey (one for Atletico Madrid, one for Madrid), and the 2022 Champions League with Real Madrid, Courtois has demonstrated experience in championship games.
Ancelotti declared, “They both deserve to play.”
Joking that he would relish the debate, Ancelotti stated that he would wait as long as possible to reveal the starting goalkeeper.
