Lunin, Kepa, and the Law of the Jungle”: Kepa Speaks with Ancelotti in Recent Hours
The Real Madrid season got off to the worst possible start when Courtois and Militão suffered knee ligament injuries in the first week of the league.
While there was no substitute for the Brazilian center-back, the Blancos found a replacement for the Belgian goalkeeper at Chelsea in London. Kepa was the chosen one, as he was on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge to join Tuchel’s Bayern Munich.
Kepa arrived to be the starter, but Lunin has shown more skill than him, relegating him to the bench.
The Basque goalkeeper arrived with the expectation of being the starter, although Lunin was the goalkeeper for Real Madrid in the first two league matches. Ancelotti was clear, and Kepa became the starter against Celta Vigo, and he held onto the position until an untimely abductor injury kept him out of the team for several weeks.
In the absence of the starting goalkeeper, the Ukrainian had an opportunity that he did not waste, and upon the return of the former Athletic Bilbao and Chelsea player, he contested the starting position, leading to rotations in the goal until the Italian coach decided on Lunin due to his greater security in goal and in aerial play.
Kepa has spoken with Ancelotti in recent hours to make it clear that he still feels he can help the team.
Kepa wanted to make it clear to Ancelotti that he still feels capable of competing for the starting position against the Ukrainian, and that if needed, he can count on him whenever he wants. The Basque goalkeeper is liked by goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis, who had him during his time at Athletic Bilbao in Joaquín Caparrós’ coaching staff.
However, his significant doubts in aerial duels, coupled with competition from Lunin, seem to have not sat well with him, and he showed nervousness in goal that led the Italian coach to favor his competitor for the position.
With Courtois progressing in his recovery and Lunin settled in the starting role, Kepa has no choice but to wait for his opportunity.
