THIBAUT Courtois will be in goal tonight when Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final in London.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti ended his side’s goalkeeper debate last night by announcing that Belgian Courtois will start over Ukrainian Andriy Lunin at Wembley as the Spanish side chase a record-extending 15th Champions League crown.
Former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid No.1 Courtois is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he has started just five games since returning from a long lay-off after suffering a torn ACL in August.
His return had left the Italian coach with a tricky decision as stand-in Lunin impressed during Real Madrid’s LaLiga title campaign and was the hero when they beat Manchester City on penalties to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Lunin missed Real Madrid’s last week of preparations for the final and was unable to make the trip with the squad due to a virus, a situation that apparently forced Ancelotti’s hand.
“Lunin has had the flu and will travel from Madrid tomorrow (today). He is fine, but he will be on the bench. Courtois will play,” Ancelotti told a press conference at Wembley yesterday.
Ancelotti, who led Madrid to the continental title in 2022, acknowledged that his side were widely regarded as massive favourites against a Borussia Dortmund team that finished fifth in the Bundesliga this season.
However, the Italian said he and his players were experienced enough not to become overconfident.
“A final is the most important match, but also the most dangerous. You have to enjoy being here, and we’re going to do that, but then there’s the worry that something could go wrong,” Ancelotti added.
“You feel that winning the Champions League is very close and you’re afraid that it might slip away. The important thing is that we know that we have to do everything very well, have a bit of luck and never give up.”
