By Sean Walsh
Thibaut Courtois will start in goal for Real Madrid in place of Andriy Lunin for Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed.
Los Blancos are going in search of a record 15th European Cup in only their second-ever game at Wembley Stadium.
Ancelotti has a rich squad full of world class options to call upon, but much of the focus leading up to the final has been around his choice of goalkeeper.
Courtois sustained an ACL injury on the eve of the 2023/24 season, and a meniscus tear during the latter stages of his rehabilitation meant that he has only played four times this term so far.
In the Belgian's place, Lunin has stepped up and performed admirably in 31 appearances for Madrid, ousting loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga for the starting spot. Prior to this season, Lunin had only played 17 times for the Spanish giants since his 2018 move from Zorya Luhansk in his native Ukraine.
However, Lunin has not travelled with the Madrid squad to London due to an illness, leading to suggestions that Courtois will be given the nod instead.
In his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti confirmed Courtois would indeed start.
"Lunin travels tomorrow [to Wembley] and he will start on the bench, Courtois will play," he said on Friday.
Courtois was named player of the match during Madrid's last Champions League final - a dogged 1-0 win against Liverpool in 2022. He made a record nine saves during the victory, with Vinicius Junior scoring the winning goal in Paris that evening.
Ancelotti, meanwhile, is on the hunt for a fifth Champions League title of his own, having won two with Madrid across his two spells as well as two at Milan.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Carlo Ancelotti reveals key lineup decision for Champions League final.
