Andriy Lunin: The stand-in keeper making his mark
Andriy Lunin: The stand-in keeper making his mark
FotMob - April 9, 2024, 9:20 AM
Thibaut Courtois was the best goalkeeper in the world and he had the trophy to prove it. Indeed, the Belgian was handed the Yashin Trophy – the Ballon d’Or for goalkeepers – in 2022 following an outstanding season for Real Madrid which saw him play a key role in a Champions League and LaLiga double.
By Graham Ruthven
This season, however, has been a completely different story for Courtois who has had to watch from the sidelines after tearing an ACL in his knee just two days before Madrid’s opening fixture of the 2023/24 campaign. Most expected Courtois’ absence to be a major storyline in Los Blancos’ season, but it hasn’t been thanks to the performances of Andriy Lunin.
Lunin wasn’t mean to be Courtois’ stand-in. Kepa Arrizabalaga was signed on loan from Chelsea to be that figure. When Kepa failed to make the position his own, though, Lunin took his opportunity and has never looked back. The Ukrainian has been the surprise package of Real Madrid’s campaign.
Many believe Lunin has been the best goalkeeper in LaLiga this season. The 25-year-old is outperforming his post-shot Expected Goals per 90 minutes by 0.28 in La Liga – and by an extremely impressive 0.58 in the Champions League. For context, Courtois’ best-ever La Liga saw him outperform his post-shot xG per 90 minutes by just 0.20 – and by 0.55 in the Champions League.
Against RB Leipzig in the Champions League round of 16, Lunin was particularly outstanding, equalling Courtois’ record for the most saves in a match in the competition. “He was brilliant,” said Carlo Ancelotti afterwards. “He’s highly motivated and playing with real confidence. Playing helps him grow in confidence and he was outstanding today, he did a fantastic job in every respect.”
There has been no drop-off with Lunin in between the posts. He might not stand as tall as Courtois, who has a four-inch advantage, but Lunin is an equally imposing figure. He claims crosses with authority and has the wingspan to reach shots that would flash past inferior goalkeepers.
Without Lunin, Madrid might not have been able to hold things together at the back this season. Courtois isn’t the only major injury the capital club has had to deal with – Éder Militão, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy have all missed periods of the season through injury. There was a point earlier this year when Madrid didn’t have a single fit centre-back.
The performances of Lunin was the thing that kept Real Madrid on the straight and narrow through this period. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has earned the respect of those who doubted he could ever become first-choice at the Santiago Bernabéu. This is, after all, a player who has been loaned out to three different clubs in his career.
Of course, the landscape will change when Courtois finally returns from injury. The Belgian has enough credit in the bank to reclaim his spot in the team when he’s fit and available again, but what will that mean for Lunin? He has demonstrated that he is simply too good to sit on the bench again.
Courtois shared the number one jersey with Keylor Navas during his first season at Real Madrid, but that situation ultimately proved to be untenable with the latter leaving Spain to join Paris Saint-Germain. Ancelotti will find it difficult to rotate Courtois and Lunin when both are good enough to play at the elite level.
Recent reports claim Jorge Mendes has been hired as Lunin’s new agent to lead negotiations with Real Madrid over a new contract. The 25-year-old’s current deal at the Santiago Bernabéu runs out next year and all parties seem keen to agree an extension. If, however, talks break down, Mendes will surely get his new client a good move.
Eight points clear at the top of the table, Real Madrid are La Liga’s champions-elect – and have been for some time. Despite drawing Manchester City in the quarter-finals, Los Blancos are also among the favourites to go the distance in the Champions League. The likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior will be identified as game-changes who could decide that tie. Lunin’s contribution could also be significant, just as it has been all season.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Antonio Rudiger reveals Real Madrid's plans for 'revenge' against Man City
Real Madrid to face Man City in Champions League quarter-finals
Los Blancos lost 5-1 on aggregate to Cityzens in last year's semi-finals
Antonio Rudiger has admitted he and his teammates want to avenge that 'thrashing'
By Sean Walsh
Apr 9, 2024
Rudiger has made clear his feelings
Rudiger has made clear his feelings / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
Antonio Rudiger has insisted Real Madrid are out for 'revenge' in their Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City.
Los Blancos host the reigning European champions in the first leg of their last-eight matchup on Tuesday night in a rematch of last season's semi-final.
City trounced Madrid on their way to Champions League glory in 2023. They earned a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu before prevailing 4-0 back at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking ahead of their latest meeting, Rudiger revealed last year's battle still weighs on the minds of he and his teammates.
"There's the feeling of last season, of course. It was something, how you English people call it, a 'thrashing'," Rudiger told TNT Sports. "We are looking forward to this game."
FBL-EUR-C1-REAL MADRID-MANCHESTER CITY
Rudiger silenced Haaland last year but Madrid were still heavily beaten / JAVIER SORIANO/GettyImages
When asked if Madrid want to exact 'revenge' and if that is a motivation, Rudiger replied: "No but I think this is clear, this is very clear. Because last year it was a tough moment.
"Of course, there is a bit [of motivation], we want revenge."
Rudiger will once again come up against Erling Haaland, who did not score any of City's five goals across the two legs of last year's semi-finals.
"It's not only him, you also have to keep the players around him very quiet, which is not an easy job. You have to prevent them passing him the ball. Then you are a step closer to reaching your target," Rudiger said of Haaland.
"This is the thing about this stage, you want to compete against the best. Last year, they were the best in Europe. It's good to compete against them, they have a lot of good players."
The winner of this tie will take on either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
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Gabriel Jesus names the 'best finisher in the world'
Gabriel Jesus gushed over Harry Kane ahead of Arsenal's Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich
Kane scored 14 goals against the Gunners during time at rivals Tottenham
England captain has registered 38 goals and 12 assists in 37 matches for Bayern
By Sean Walsh
Apr 9, 2024
Jesus was full of praise for a rival striker
Jesus was full of praise for a rival striker / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has hailed Bayern Munich counterpart Harry Kane as the 'best finisher in the world'.
The Gunners host the Bavarians in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night, with Kane making his first return to this part of north London since leaving Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
Kane scored 14 goals in 19 games for Spurs against Arsenal, making him the all-time leading scorer in north London derby history.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's meeting, Jesus was quick to shower the England captain with praise.
"Everyone knows the quality of Harry Kane," Jesus said at a press conference. "For me, personally, he's the best finisher in the world.
"So, it's great to obviously play against these kind of players. We want to keep him quiet in the game - and then we try to win the game.
"Also, it's not only Harry Kane, but a lot of players like [Leroy] Sane, my old friend, [Jamal] Musiala, [Kingsley] Coman, [Thomas] Muller - what a player - [Serge] Gnabry. It's a lot. They have quality players there.
Harry Kane, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ryan Sessegnon
Kane regularly scored against Arsenal while at Tottenham / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
"It's hard to explain [what makes Kane the best finisher in the world], maybe he can explain it to you, me not.
"But, in my opinion, he can finish with his head, left or right [foot]. Since I arrived in Europe, for me in that time, he's one of the best and at this time he is the best finisher in the world.
"I don't watch players to try to take something from them. I watch to enjoy it. All the players have their own qualities, like I do. I don't try to copy someone. But obviously, you see him finishing, you want to keep seeing and watching - and just enjoy it."
Bayern are on the verge of finishing the season without a trophy, but Kane has at least managed to register a staggering 38 goals and 12 assists in 37 matches for them since signing in the summer.
Jesus, meanwhile, has endured a stop-start campaign largely disrupted by injuries, tallying eight goals and five assists in 28 games for Arsenal.
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