Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Andriy Lunin will join the team in London for the Champions League final separately after catching the flu, as coach Carlo Ancelotti aims to prevent any health risks. Real Madrid will head to London for the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund without their goalkeeper. Madrid is set to face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley this weekend, vying for their 15th Champions League title. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, favored to win, will be participating in their sixth European final in the past ten years.
Lunin, who has been battling the flu, will not join his teammates on the initial flight. The 25-year-old Ukrainian, who has become Real’s first-choice goalkeeper this season, will fly out later to avoid spreading the illness. Despite also having Thibaut Courtois and Kepa Arrizabalaga, Lunin has played a crucial role, notably saving two penalties in the semi-final against Manchester City.
To ensure he fully recovers, Lunin has been training at home. According to Marca, he is expected to join the team on Friday or Saturday. His wife, Anastasiia Tomazova, shared a video on Instagram of him training on a mini football pitch with the caption, “When the fever isn’t an obstacle to training. I’m so proud of you.”
Carlo Ancelotti on Goalkeeper Choice
In his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti talked about the decision between starting Lunin or Courtois. He humorously said, “I love this kind of external debate, especially during weeks like this when I don’t have much to do. If I told you who’s starting, I’d miss out on listening to the fun debate over the next few days! It’s no big deal: one plays, the other is on the bench. It’s actually a tough decision because Lunin deserves to play for many reasons, as does Courtois, who is the best in the world.”
Real Madrid’s Final Preparations
Ancelotti, preparing for his sixth European Cup final, remains calm and confident. “Can we say the best two teams have reached the final? Yes, the best two teams have reached the Champions League final,” he said. “We’re not on holiday yet, but many teams are, and they will watch the game on TV. We have all the excitement and optimism in the world. Calm, confident, positive. The history of Real Madrid is intertwined with this competition, starting in the 1950s. This is where we are most focused. We will enjoy every moment until the final because reaching this stage is a success in itself. We’ve had a great season, and now we need to add the cherry on top.” Real Madrid is focused on maintaining their players’ health and spirits as they gear up for another potential European triumph. The careful decision to let Lunin recover fully before rejoining the team highlights their meticulous preparation for this crucial match.
