Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has officially declared that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be the starter in the Champions League final over Andriy Lunin, thereby settling the primary lineup dilemma before the crucial match.
In addition, Ancelotti cautioned his squad that the Champions League final represents the most perilous encounter in football on the eve of their showdown with Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
The seasoned Italian coach, a record four-time winner of the competition, expressed concerns that Los Blancos fear losing hold of the prestigious trophy.
Madrid, with a remarkable 14-time championship history, stand as strong favorites for the impending clash against the Bundesliga representatives.
Emphasizing the significance of the Champions League final, Ancelotti articulated during a press briefing on Friday, “A Champions League final is the pinnacle game, yet it also carries the greatest risk.”
“We should relish being in this moment while acknowledging the potential pitfalls since we are on the cusp of football’s ultimate glory—lifting the Champions League trophy—yet there’s a lingering fear of losing grasp of it.”
“It requires meticulous execution, a sprinkle of luck, and being in close proximity to success, thus the apprehension creeps in starting from tomorrow morning until the afternoon.”
Real Madrid skipper Nacho disclosed a mix of confidence and nervousness, admitting, “We’re experiencing higher nerves than any other point in the season.”
“As individuals, we are all human; while for some, this may seem like a tranquil week, for us players, it’s quite the opposite. It’s a unique situation, rendering it far from tranquil.”
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric, despite acknowledging Madrid’s superiority over Dortmund, approached the impending match with a balanced perspective, considering it a fairly contested battle.
“While many perceive us as overwhelming favorites, we don’t view it in a similar light,” remarked the Croatian maestro.
“It’s a level playing field; we’re facing a formidable opponent that has had an exceptional Champions League season.”
Nacho, Modric, alongside Toni Kroos and Dani Carvajal, stand to reach a noteworthy milestone of six Champions League triumphs with a victory over Dortmund, drawing level with the legendary Paco Gento.
Reflecting on this achievement, Modric expressed, “It seemed improbable to reach this juncture, yet here we are, relishing this moment immensely.”
“Hopefully, we can progress further as a cohesive unit tomorrow, clinching the sixth European Cup would be a monumental feat.”
Ancelotti celebrated Madrid’s knack for staging comebacks, noting that their resiliency is not a stroke of luck but a testament to their remarkable history, quality, tradition, and character.
Addressing the Courtois-Lunin situation, Ancelotti confirmed, “Lunin was sidelined due to the flu and didn’t travel with the team. He will join the squad tomorrow and occupy a spot on the bench—Courtois will assume the goalkeeping duties tomorrow,” as stated by the Italian tactician.
Belgian goalkeeper Courtois, recuperating from a prolonged knee injury, has maintained a flawless record with four clean sheets in as many appearances since his return.
