(Football news) Real Madrid on Sunday drew 1-1 away at Cadiz in La Liga. With the title already in the bag, Carlo Ancelotti deployed a 2nd string team as Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr and Luka Modric didn't even travel with the team. Shot stopper Andriy Lunin got his 2nd league appearance of the season with the other one being a week before against Atletico Madrid. Despite conceding a goal Lunin was named Man of the Match for his incredible performance. He saved one penalty and 5 other shots to secure 1 point for Los Blancos.
The Ukrainian started the first two rounds of the Copa del Rey but Ancelotti decided to bring back Courtois for the quarter finals. Real Madrid signed a 19 year old Lunin for €8.5 million plus 5 million in ad-ons from Ukrainian club Zorya Luhansk. Since then, Lunin has had a few unsuccessful loan spells and his only appearance for Real Madrid before this season was in a 2-1 loss to Alcoyano in the 2020–21 Copa del Rey. In the game against Cadiz, the goalkeeper showed his true quality and proved that he needs to be a first choice keeper at another club as getting ahead of Thibaut Courtois wouldn't be possible. According to reports, Real Madrid are extremely happy with Lunin who is considered to be one of the most hard working players at the club. Reports in Spain suggest that Real Madrid understand that Lunin will want a move away from the club which will most probably be a loan or a permanent move with a buy-back clause.
It is understood that Real Madrid will allow Lunin to leave but they will be delighted if he chooses to stay. Los Blancos have identified Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina as the replacement. Ospina, who is currently Napoli's first choice keeper is reportedly ready to be Courtois' back up in Madrid. Even though Lunin has much more potential and is likely to be the future of the club, Ospina isn't a bad replacement. At the age of 33, Ospina has a lot of experience at big clubs playing in big matches. He can certainly be trusted in the games where Courtois is rested which will most probably be the first 2-3 rounds of the Copa del Rey. Ospina's Napoli contract expires at the end of the season which means that he will be available for free.
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