Real Madrid is in serious trouble just days before their crucial Champions League match with Arsenal.
With Thibaut Courtois already sidelined due to injury, Andriy Lunin has now joined him on the injury list.
According to Marca, Lunin is dealing with a calf issue that could keep him out for up to four weeks.
However, sources close to the club are optimistic, suggesting Lunin could play this weekend, possibly with the help of painkillers.
But there’s a risk involved. Playing through the pain might make the injury worse, something Carlo Ancelotti is desperate to avoid, especially with Courtois still recovering.
Speaking of Courtois, he picked up a muscle injury during Belgium’s warm-up ahead of their friendly match against Ukraine in the international break. He’s missed Real Madrid’s last two games because of it, including a league match against Leganes and the second leg of their Copa del Rey tie against Real Sociedad.
If Lunin is unable to play against Valencia, Real Madrid might be forced to give 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez his first-team debut.
Gonzalez has been training with the senior squad for two years, although he’s yet to make his senior debut. This season, he’s impressed for Real Madrid Castilla, keeping three clean sheets in 16 appearances.
But jumping straight into a high-stakes match like this could be a big challenge for the young goalkeeper.
As the clock ticks down, Ancelotti will be hoping one of his keepers can recover just in time for the all-important Champions League clash with Arsenal.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
