BARCELONA-. The technician of the real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti He will give Thibaut Courtois another chance to impress before making the decision on which goalkeeper will start in the Champions League final.
Although Courtois is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he barely returned from a long injury. In his absence, substitute Andriy Lunin helped the team reach the Champions League final on June 1 against Borussia Dortmund.
Ancelotti said on Friday that he will give Courtois more playing time in the league to evaluate his physical condition, but he still has a month “to think about it.”
Lunin rarely filled in for Courtois until the Belgian suffered a torn ligament in his left knee in August, two days before the start of the campaign. The Ukrainian took over as starter and has left his mark ever since.
Courtois was out until he started last week in the 3-0 victory against Cadiz and with which Madrid confirmed its 36th Spanish league title.
But Lunin returned to goal for Wednesday's 2-1 victory in the Champions League semifinals against Bayern Munich.
On Friday Ancelotti said Courtois will play on Saturday when Madrid visits Granada in the league. He will also rest several starters, including Jude Bellingham.
After this game, Madrid has three more league games before the final in London.
“Courtois is going to play,†Ancelotti assured. “I have to evaluate the goalkeeping issue in the next games.”
Lunin was consolidated as Ancelotti's first choice even when Madrid signed Kepa Arrizabala after Courtois' injury. The 25-year-old Ukrainian avoided two penalties in the decisive round in the quarterfinals against Manchester City.
But Courtois has experience in finals. The 31-year-old Belgian won the 2022 Champions League with Madrid, in addition to the FA Cup with Chelsea, the Europa League with Atlético de Madrid and two Copa del Rey titles (with Madrid and Atlético).
WEEKEND
While Granada must beat Madrid to increase their chance of permanence. Cadiz, who are 19th, are closer to relegation ahead of their game against Granada on Sunday.
Girona looks to maintain second place when it visits Alaves later and third-place Barcelona hosts Real Sociedad on Monday.
Atlético de Madrid, which is fourth, is trying to keep the last ticket to the Champions League. They receive Celta de Vigo on Sunday. Athletic Bilbao, which is fifth, six points behind Atlético, welcomes Osasuna on Saturday.
