Real Madrid – After the Clasico, Thibaut Courtois refuses to help Andriy Lunin, “It's not up to me to…”

Real Madrid's number 1 goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, was very direct about Andriy Lunin, Madrid's second goalkeeper. After the defeat against FC Barcelona in the Clasico of the American tour, the Belgian goalkeeper did not mince his words to express his truths.

Real Madrid faced Barça last night in the friendly match organized by the Americans every year before the start of the season. Since 2017, the Americans have spared no expense in putting on this Clasico, which aims to present the two best Spanish teams to football fans in their country. Even if this match does not have the same intensity as those in official competition, it remains highly anticipated on paper. Last night, Thibaut Courtois and his partners suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in this friendly match.

Courtois' analysis after the Clasico

After a thunderstorm interruption at MetLife Stadium and despite the threat of weather, the Catalan team found the back of the net twice (two from young Pau Victor in the 42nd and 54th minutes) against the Madrid defense. At the very end of the match, Nico Paz reduced the deficit with a header from a well-taken corner by Arda Guler in the 82nd minute. At the end of the match, Thibaut Courtois appeared before the press to comment on his performance and that of his team.

Without worrying about the result or his team's second consecutive defeat in pre-season, the Belgian goalkeeper highlighted the positive: “In the end, we were pretty competitive, we created chances, we worked well… You’re never happy with a loss, but the game could have gone either way. A few details tipped the scales in their favour. But it’s pre-season, we keep working hard and a lot of guys played well in the last 20 minutes. That’s the positive from the game and we’ll keep getting in shape…”

Courtois focuses on start of season

Looking back on the performance of the young reserve team players that Carlo Ancelotti used against Barca, Courtois was full of praise, particularly for youngster Jacobo Naveros who replaced Antonio Rudiger in the 67th minute. As for his current form and the situation of Andriy Lunin, the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper was blunt. As for himself, the 32-year-old Belgian international left no doubt about his feelings ahead of the start of the season.

” I feel very good, it's always beneficial to be there from the first day. I'm a little disappointed with the second goal, I misjudged the rebound, because it bounced quite unusually on the pitch, but it's better that it happens now than later in the season. It's time to learn, even as a goalkeeper. I'm happy with my saves, my exits in the air and also my passes. Today I made some good kicks. That's what the coach and Llopis expect from me, ” said Thibaut Courtois.

“It's not up to me to decide for him (Lunin)”

Unlike Hansi Flick who played both his goalkeepers against Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti did not rotate his squad. While this situation is difficult for Andriy Lunin, the young Ukrainian goalkeeper who helped out last season and wants to play more games this season, Thibaut Courtois seems to be opening the door to a departure. Without beating around the bush about the situation of his understudy, the Madrid veteran refused to advise Lunin to leave or stay.

” Everyone has to choose what they think is best for them. It's not up to me to decide for him. I understand that he played a lot last year and he wants to continue playing. He has to choose his path to get the most out of his career. He's a great goalie and he deserves the best, ” concluded Courtois. The message has been received. If Lunin wants to play, he knows what he has to do, especially since Carlo Ancelotti has no intention of rotating when he believes he has the best goalkeeper in the world in his team.

How do you find Lunin's situation? Do you think he should look for playing time elsewhere?