Lunin Concedes Over Twice as Many Goals as Courtois per Game
Despite strong performances, the Ukrainian’s numbers highlight the gap with Madrid’s undisputed No.1
Andriy Lunin has stepped in as the starting goalkeeper for Real Madrid since the injury to Thibaut Courtois during the Champions League knockout stages. Within the club, Lunin is highly valued—often described as the best backup goalkeeper in the world—and his performances have justified that reputation.
He even played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s latest Champions League triumph, particularly in the memorable penalty shootout at the Etihad against Manchester City. His attitude and professionalism have also earned widespread praise, especially his willingness to accept a secondary role behind one of the greatest goalkeepers in the club’s history.
A Clear Statistical Gap
However, the numbers reveal a significant difference between the two. This season, Lunin has played 9 matches and conceded 19 goals, while Courtois has featured in 41 games and allowed just 31 goals.
That translates to:
- Lunin: 2.1 goals conceded per game
- Courtois: 0.9 goals conceded per game
These figures underline how much more solid the team appears with Courtois in goal—a difference that, given his elite status, is hardly surprising.
No Blame on Lunin
Despite the statistical gap, Lunin is not being singled out for criticism. Even in the tie against Bayern Munich—where he could perhaps have done better on certain goals—the club maintains full confidence in him.
At Valdebebas, the message is clear: comparing the two goalkeepers is unfair. Both understand their roles and maintain a healthy dynamic within the squad. Notably, managers like Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and Álvaro Arbeloa have never faced issues managing the goalkeeping hierarchy—something that can often be a delicate situation.
Lunin’s Future at the Club
One of the key developments of 2025 was Lunin’s contract renewal, which ties him to Real Madrid until 2030. The club is keen to keep him, but president Florentino Pérez would be open to considering offers if the player decides to seek a new challenge.
For now, Lunin remains committed to Madrid—continuing to prove his value, even while operating in the shadow of an all-time great.
