Carlo Ancelotti has recently made a bold decision in confirming that Thibaut Courtois will start for Real Madrid in the upcoming LaLiga match against Cádiz. This comes after Courtois has been unavailable the entire season due to suffering an ACL tear last August. With Courtois back in the lineup, it raises questions about the goalkeeping situation at Real Madrid, especially with the impressive performances from the backup, Andriy Lunin.
Andriy Lunin has been outstanding in Courtois’ absence, boasting the best save percentage in LaLiga among goalkeepers who have played 10 or more games. Despite this, Ancelotti has assured that Lunin will keep his place for the upcoming Champions League semifinal second leg against Bayern Munich. This raises speculation about Courtois potentially competing with Lunin for a spot in the Champions League final if Real Madrid progresses.
The Challenge of ACL Injuries
Real Madrid has faced significant challenges this season with three long-term ACL injuries affecting key players like Courtois, Militão, and Alaba. Militão, who suffered a similar injury to Courtois last August, has made a return to action but is still not a regular starter. Ancelotti’s focus remains on the immediate games and not on the possibility of Courtois playing in the Champions League final in June.
Ancelotti has adopted a pragmatic approach by focusing on the next game rather than speculating about future possibilities. He emphasized that the primary goal for Real Madrid is the upcoming Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich, with Lunin being the chosen goalkeeper for that crucial match. Ancelotti’s refusal to discuss Courtois’s participation in a potential final shows his commitment to taking one game at a time.
Real Madrid could potentially clinch the LaLiga title if they defeat Cádiz and rivals Barcelona fail to win their match. However, Ancelotti has downplayed talks of celebrations, stating that the team has not won anything yet. This cautious approach reflects Ancelotti’s mentality of not getting ahead of themselves and remaining focused on the task at hand.
Thibaut Courtois’s return to the starting lineup presents a positive challenge for Real Madrid, with Andriy Lunin’s impressive form adding depth to the goalkeeping position. Ancelotti’s decision-making and pragmatic approach will play a crucial role in navigating through the remaining fixtures of the season, with the ultimate goal of success in both domestic and European competitions.
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