Real Madrid are staring at a grave goalkeeping crisis as Andriy Lunin joined Thibaut Courtois on their growing injury list.
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Courtois racing against time to be fit for Arsenal matchLunin has a calf injuryReal could call on third-choice Fran GonzalezFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid are dealing with a potential goalkeeping catastrophe, as their top two options are battling with injuries just days before their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal. With a critical week ahead, including a domestic clash against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday followed by a trip to London to face the Gunners at the Emirates on Tuesday, Carlo Ancelotti is suddenly short on options between the posts.
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According to Lunin had picked up a muscle injury that could keep him out for around four weeks. However, sources close to the club have since played down the severity of his condition. There is optimism within the club that Lunin might still feature this weekend, possibly with pain-killing injections. But such a move is not without risk as playing through the pain could exacerbate the injury and rule Lunin out for a longer stretch, something Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will be desperate to avoid given Courtois’ own fitness fragility.
Meanwhile, Courtois picked up a muscle injury of his own during the warm-up ahead of Belgium’s second friendly against Ukraine over the international break. As a result, he has already missed Real Madrid’s last two matches, including a league tie against Leganes and the second leg of their Copa del Rey tie versus Real Sociedad.
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Should Lunin ultimately be ruled out against Valencia, Real Madrid may be forced to hand a first-team debut to 19-year-old goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez. The young shot-stopper is considered one of the most promising talents at Valdebebas, but is yet to make a senior appearance for the club. Gonzalez has featured in 16 matches for Real Madrid Castilla this season, managing three clean sheets while conceding 19 goals. Despite his lack of top-level experience, he has been training with the senior squad for the past two years and is viewed by some at the club as a potential heir to Courtois in the long term.
WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?
Madrid are facing an uphill battle to retain their La Liga title, with Barcelona three points clear at the top of the table. The two Clasico rivals are already scheduled to meet in the Copa del Rey final and could also come face-to-face in the Champions League final.