Carlo Ancelotti considering benching Real Madrid starter for Champions League semi-final return leg

02/05/2024 11:03

Real Madrid are considering bringing Thibaut Courtois back into the fold for the Champions League semi-final return leg against Bayern Munich, at the expense of Andriy Lunin. The Belgian goalkeeper is yet to play this year after successive anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injuries, but was on the bench on Tuesday.

Carlo Ancelotti remarked that Courtois 'could play against Cadiz' this weekend, and that would  be his only test run before the Bayern game. Relevo say that within the staff they feel that Lunin has done little wrong, but he is simply not Courtois. The giant goalkeeper has returned in excellent shape, and it is am option that Ancelotti has been weighing up for several weeks.

Lunin has come up with a number of crucial saves this season, none more so than from Bernardo Silva in their penalty shoot out against Manchester City, but doubts over his decision-making, and his weakness from set pieces has been evident in recent weeks. The Ukrainian was targeted by City and Barcelona from corners, and there were questions asked of him for Silva's free-kick at the Bernabeu, and Leroy Sane's strike at the Allianz Arena.

It would be a major call from Ancelotti, who has already been viewed as overly harsh on Lunin in the dressing room before this season. Reluctant to use Lunin all season, he was an advocate of Kepa Arrizabalaga's arrival, and wanted David Ospina to back up Courtois two summers ago.

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