Key Takeaways:
- Andriy Lunin suffers calf injury in King’s Cup semi-final clash
- Thibaut Courtois remains sidelined due to national team injury
- Third-choice keeper Fran Gonzalez could make first-team debut against Valencia
Injury Woes Mount in Madrid’s Goalkeeping Ranks
Real Madrid’s troubles between the sticks have deepened following an injury to Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who sustained a calf problem during the thrilling 4–4 draw against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, Spanish outlet AS has reported.
This latest setback further compounds an already precarious situation for manager Carlo Ancelotti, with first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois still unavailable due to an injury picked up during international duty with Belgium. The Belgian shot-stopper has yet to return to full fitness, leaving Madrid’s goalkeeping department critically short-staffed at a crucial moment in the campaign.
🚨 Andriy Lunin played most of the match vs Real Sociedad while being injured.
The tear he suffered in his soleus muscle occurred in the 50th minute, per @elchiringuitotv 🤕 pic.twitter.com/pvX7FQMNPy
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 3, 2025
Gonzalez Poised for Senior Debut Amid Injury Crisis
With both senior goalkeepers unavailable, Real Madrid may be forced to turn to academy product Fran Gonzalez for their upcoming La Liga fixture. The 18-year-old could make his first-team debut on 5 April when Los Blancos face Valencia in matchweek 30 of the domestic season. According to reports, a final decision on the youngster’s inclusion will be made tomorrow by head coach Ancelotti, who must weigh the risk of inexperience against necessity.
La Liga Title Race: Madrid in Pursuit
Real Madrid currently occupy second place in the La Liga standings with 63 points, trailing fierce rivals Barcelona by three points. With nine matches remaining in the season, the title race remains finely poised. Madrid must now navigate a critical series of fixtures without their top two goalkeepers, a scenario that could have major implications for their championship ambitions.
Looking Ahead
All eyes will be on the Santiago Bernabéu as Madrid prepare to host Valencia with a potential debutant in goal. Whether Gonzalez is ready to step up under the spotlight remains to be seen, but with the margins in the title race so tight, every decision at this stage of the season carries monumental weight.