Football
Ancelotti calm over Courtois injury, not looking for replacement
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stated on Friday that the Spanish giants are not chasing a new goalkeeper in the transfer market to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois ahead of the new La Liga season.
After rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while in training on Thursday, Courtois is expected to miss a significant amount of the season.
However, Ancelotti asserted that Courtois, who took home the Yashin Trophy as the world’s best goalkeeper last year, had left a hole that might be filled by backup goalie Andriy Lunin of Ukraine.
“We have total confidence in Lunin, who is a great goalkeeper,” Ancelotti told a press conference ahead of Real’s La Liga opener at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
“He’s been very good during pre-season. He’s talented, and what he lacks is what all young players lack—eexperience, the experience he’s going to gain day by day.”
Ancelotti said the club may still look to bolster its goalkeeping options.
“We still have time until August 31,” he added.
“We’ll see in the next few days if we’re going to recruit another goalkeeper to make up the numbers, because we count on Lunin.”
Thibaut Courtois
Following Karim Benzema’s departure for Saudi Arabia after 14 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, this season will usher in a new era at Real Madrid.
Although they have brought in striker Joselu on loan from Espanyol and winger Brahim Diaz has returned to the club following his three-year loan stint at AC Milan, the 14-time European winners have not yet secured a clear replacement for their second-highest scorer of all time.
“Up front, we’re very good. We have different options,” said Ancelotti.
“Two players have arrived, and they bring positives. Joselu, thanks to his different characteristics. He is very good in the box. And Brahim can offer us more solutions between the lines.”
Madrid have made an imprint on the transfer window, though, signing England midfielder Jude Bellingham for 103 million euros ($113 million) from Borussia Dortmund.
Ancelotti will be hoping Bellingham can freshen up his midfield, which was still largely reliant on veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos last season.
The Italian hinted that Bellingham could play in a more attacking role than previously seen for Dortmund and England.
“I think he has a greater impact on the opponents if he plays higher. He’s more dangerous if he plays like a center-forward.”
Madrid are bidding to bounce back from a disappointing season last term, when they finished a distant second in La Liga, 10 points behind Barcelona, and were beaten in the Champions League semi-finals by Manchester City.
Elsewhere this weekend, champions Barca kick off their title defense at Getafe on Sunday, before Atletico Madrid host Granada on Monday.
