Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will start the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, coach Carlo Ancelotti announced on Friday.
Courtois has been confirmed in the starting lineup for Saturday’s match at Wembley Stadium, after Andriy Lunin was ruled out with sickness this week.
Ancelotti had stated that he had a difficult decision to make after Courtois missed the majority of the season due to injury, and Lunin helped Madrid win the Spanish title as the understudy. However, due to illness, Lunin was unable to fly to London with the rest of the squad and will not be joining them until Saturday.
“Lunin has had the flu and that didn’t allow him to train or travel,” Ancelotti stated. “He’ll travel tomorrow. He’ll be on the bench, therefore Courtois will play in goal tomorrow.
Courtois was superb in the final when Madrid last won the Champions League in 2022, but he has missed much of the season after rupturing his left knee ligament in August. He then tore the meniscus in his right knee in March.
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Ancelotti announced on Monday that Lunin had a fever and was unable to train with his teammates. The keeper revealed his position on Thursday.
“I am very sad to say that I won’t be able to prepare for the most important game of the season and the most important game of my life with my team,” Lunin said to Instagram. “Many thanks for the messages of support and encouragement!”
Lunin was Madrid’s hero, saving two penalties in the quarterfinal shootout victory over Manchester City. He was also the goalkeeper when Madrid defeated Bayern Munich in the semifinals.
Ancelotti also denied that Rodrygo will leave Madrid in the offseason, despite the fact that Kylian Mbappe is generally expected to join the club.
“Rodrygo will give it his all (in the final).” He has been and will continue to be an extremely valuable asset to us. “I have no doubt about that,” he stated.
Rodrygo took to social media this week to confirm his loyalty to Madrid, after extracts from an interview raised questions about his future.