Real Madrid to leave star goalkeeper at home ahead of Champions League final
Real Madrid players during a La Liga match (Source: LaLiga)
Real Madrid will be travelling to London for the Champions League final without their goalkeeperAndriy Lunin in the squad.The Ukrainian goalkeeper will be arriving in the UK alone after coming down with flu earlier this week.
The club staff has taken the precautionary decision to ensure that other players do not catch flu ahead of the big-ticket match. Madrid are chasing a record 15th UCL trophy against a resurgent Borussia Dortmund side.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has a tough choice on who he starts in the big final. Lunin has been the preferred choice in the competition, having played eight matches and kept clean sheets in two of them. He was instrumental in the penalty shootout against Manchester City and showed immaculatecomposure to keep the defending champions at bay.
"It’s really difficult. Both of them deserve to play this final. Lunin, because he did a fantastic season, and Courtois, because he is back from his injury and everyone knows the quality of Courtois," said Ancelotti.
)
Scientists raise alarm for US and Canada, warn of 100-foot tsunami that will alter geography for centuries
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
These 5 countries have fighter jets, but no pilots to fly them
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Before Special Ops 2 releases, watch Kay Kay Menon's 7 best movies on JioHotstar, Netflix and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Do fighter jets have toilets? Here’s how pilots manage hunger and hygiene in the sky
)
511 billion barrels of oil discovered in Antarctica can trigger World War. Here's how
)
Air India plane crash: Who cut fuel of both engines? BIG question after probe reveals AI-171 fuel switches went from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' after takeoff
)
Scientists stumbled upon four pitch-black eggs 20,000 feet below ocean. They turned out to be...
)
Boeing reaches hush-hush deal with 737 MAX plane crash victim's kin, as Air India crash probe reveals THIS
)
Aura farming: An Indonesian kid made some cool moves during a boat race, and internet is dancing
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Top 6 fighter jets that became the biggest disasters in aviation history
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Rafael Nadal to Pete Sampras: 5 tennis players with most men's singles grand slams
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Mark Boucher to MS Dhoni: Top 5 best wicket-keepers in cricket history
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From IPL to MLC: Top 10 richest cricket leagues in world, check where BBL, PSL stand
)
The ultimate aerial powerhouses revealed: Meet the top 10 best fighter jets in the world for 2025
)
'Damage to equipment, structures': Iran's missile attack on US air base in Qatar caused damage, confirms Pentagon
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Viv Richards to Don Bradman: 5 players fastest to score 5000 runs in Tests, only one Indian in list
Courtois had been out of the Madrid squad after rupturing his cruciate ligament back in August 2023. While Kepa Arrizabalaga was the initial first-choice keeper, Ancelotti soon pivoted towards Lunin who proved to be more than an ideal replacement.
The Belgian goalkeeper, however, is now back to full fitness and started the last five la Liga matches of the season.
Real Madrid await Kylian Mbappe's arrival
Apart from anticipation surrounding the goalkeeper's choice, Madrid fans are awaiting the announcement of Kylian Mbappe as the new club signing.
Speaking toCNN,Mbappe revealed that he will make his next club choice official in the coming days. Most fans believe that the announcement will come after the UCL final, so as not to distract the players.
"My next club will be official soon, it's matter of days. I can't wait for that, I'm happy. We have to wait just for some days."
"I want to be happy. I will leave my country for the first time. It's going to be an amazing experience and I can't wait to be in my new club. I want to win trophies. When you speak about football, [it's about] winning trophies, being with new teammates. Now, I have my contract with PSG. Everybody knows that it's soon finishing and we're going to see what happens."
(With inputs from agencies)