Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal has singled out teammate Andriy Lunin for praise following his recent performances, and highlighted that he has stepped up to the plate when called upon.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was signed from Chelsea on loan to cover for the injury to Thibaut Courtois in August, but after the Spanish international suffered a calf strain earlier this month, Lunin was called upon against Braga, Valencia and Cadiz on Sunday night. It looks as if he will be in goal against Napoli on Wednesday night too.
Despite good performances, making key saves and a penalty stop, manager Carlo Ancelotti told the press at the weekend that Kepa would be back in goal when he was fit. Carvajal was full of praise for the Ukrainian.
“He is a tremendous professional. He is a fairly introverted boy, but I want to congratulate him because he has always been up to the task, he has helped us a lot. Every time he has played he has done very well. Whoever plays is a decision of the coach”.
https://x.com/footballespana_/status/1729503649187905754?s=20
Ancelotti was also asked about his morale, given the fact Kepa is likely to return no matter how he plays. The Italian eased off his words, and mentioned competition.
“He is not going to think that tomorrow is the last game. The day Kepa returns he will compete with Lunin. This is what Lunin has earned by playing very well. The competition is good. We have two high-level goalkeepers. Each one can contribute with its qualities.”
It had been reported in the aftermath of the Cadiz match that the Real Madrid dressing room were not satisfied with how Ancelotti has treated Lunin. For some time Ancelotti has been keen to get a replacement for Lunin, and it may well be that he gets his way with Kepa next summer. Either way, Ancelotti read between the lines and has decided to prioritise the dressing room atmosphere in this case.
LSTONE
0
...it's amazing bro and some real fans will read this and start shouting sack Ancelotti, sack Perez . They don't use their heads.
yes bro! some fans will just jump into conclusions
Kayadelntu
2
Why not play lunin? Just because he is Ukranian and don Carlo is a Soviet supporter??
amaraqumie
1
I wonder why Lunin is not been giving more matches? He has showed that he is reliable and can compete with Kepa. Just rotate both GK for god's sake 🤦🏻🤦🏻
ZizoArmani10
3
It’s like Carlo is whining the fans, why replace lunin that has been performing even better than kepa so far, do we really need this kepa, we have an excellent backup to courtois, and since lunin has been in goal Madrid has been solid and he’s made many saves that could have cost Madrid, and now Carlo wants to keep him in the bench,
ariwanze
0
😅🤣🤣 very good question 🤔, it seems like the writer is omnipresent 🤷
...it's amazing bro and some real fans will read this and start shouting sack Ancelotti, sack Perez . They don't use their heads.
Yizaclortu
6
The fact is Don Carlo doesn't fancy Lunin, which I think a manager shouldn't behave that way because Lunin is capable of everything
rizbostu
3
so every 10 years since 2004 , English Man wins it[
loceimnptz
3
That's the whole essence of competition
LSTONE
1
...and this writer was in Real Madrid dressing room?! wonders!
😅🤣🤣 very good question 🤔, it seems like the writer is omnipresent 🤷
tenacimosu
1
...and this writer was in Real Madrid dressing room?! wonders!
AF trying to create problem where there's no problem... Barca app ur plan will fail
ariwanze
6
...and this writer was in Real Madrid dressing room?! wonders!