Champions League: Real Madrid coach Ancelotti confirms who will start in goal against Dortmund

By: James Robson, The Associated Press Posted: 5:53 AM CDT Friday, May. 31, 2024 Last Modified: 11:59 AM CDT Friday, May. 31, 2024

Advertise with us

LONDON (AP) — Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will start the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

LONDON (AP) — Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will start the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/05/2024 (846 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LONDON (AP) — Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will start the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.

Courtois was confirmed in the starting lineup for Saturday’s showdown at Wembley Stadium after Andriy Lunin was struck down by flu this week.

Ancelotti had said he had a difficult decision to make after Courtois missed most of the season through injury and Lunin helped Madrid to the Spanish title as the understudy. But Lunin was unable to travel with the rest of the squad to London because of illness and won’t join them until Saturday.

FILE - Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 3rd left trains watched by reserve goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, left, during a Media Opining day training session in Madrid, Spain, on May 24, 2022. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has started his casting for which goalkeeper – Thibaut Courtois or Andriy Lunin – will start the Champions League final. Ancelotti said Friday May 10, 2024 that he had one month “to think about it." (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

“Lunin has had the flu and that didn’t allow him to train or travel,” Ancelotti said. “He will travel tomorrow. He’s going to be on the bench, so of course Courtois will be in goal tomorrow.”

Courtois was outstanding in the final when Madrid last won the Champions League in 2022, but has missed much of the campaign after rupturing his left knee ligament in August. He then ruptured the meniscus in his right knee in March.

Ancelotti said on Monday that Lunin was running a fever and was unable to practice with his teammates. And the keeper confirmed his situation on Thursday.

“I am very sad to say that I won’t be able to prepare for the most important game of the season and the most important game of my life with my team,” Lunin wrote on Instagram. “Many thanks for the messages of support and encouragement!”

Lunin was the hero for Madrid when saving two penalties in the decisive shootout win over Manchester City in the quarterfinals. He was also in goal when Madrid beat Bayern Munich in the semifinals.

Ancelotti also dismissed speculation Rodrygo could leave Madrid during the offseason, with Kylian Mbappe widely expected to head to the Bernabeu Stadium.

“Rodrygo is going to give it his all (in the final). He is a very important piece for us, he has been and will be in the future. I have no doubt about that whatsoever,” he said.

Rodrygo went on social media this week to confirm his commitment to Madrid after excerpts from an interview sparked doubts about his future.

___