Andriy Lunin's 'impossible' mission
Andriy Lunin (21 years old) faces the greatest challenge of his career, but aware that he still has a lot to climb if he wants to reach the summit, which is none other than being the starting goalkeeper of Real Madrid . For the first time, he is part of the white team's first squad in his own right, but ahead is Everest : the figure of a Thibaut Courtois who grew huge in the 19-20 season and is currently indisputable for Zinedine Zidane .
The Belgian's competition still seems too much for the young Ukrainian goal, a bet on the future of Madrid in the summer of 2018 , a long-term investment ( 8.5 million euros) that, despite everything, must start to pay dividends from this very season. And, if Zidane does not alter the roadmap with the goalkeepers that he has followed since Madrid's first team arrived, Lunin should play the Cup (a tournament that, with Zidane, Madrid has never won), and perhaps a game loose league. As long as, of course, health respects the holder of the square, a Courtois who will seek the fourth Zamora of his record.
The great 'that does not fall' between Isco ... and Lunin!
In any case, the Ukrainian is used to having it difficult since Madrid recruited him from Zorya Lugansk two summers ago. In his first season in Spain, 18-19, he was loaned to Leganés . Madrid hoped that the loan would serve as a blank, but only played seven games , five in the League and two in the Cup. Cuéllar coach Mauricio Pellegrino did not alter his bet on Cuéllar , and Lunin's participation was almost anecdotal.
In order to seek a new destination to accumulate experience in the 19-20 Madrid he found him accommodation in the Real Valladolid of Ronaldo Nazario . But history repeated itself. Sergio , an albivioleta coach, opted for Masip and Lunin only played two Cup games . For this reason, Madrid broke the assignment in the winter market and sent him to Real Oviedo , in Second. It was a step backwards for Andriy, but Madrid's priority was for him to play. And in the Tartiere clubhe finally did. 20 games in half a year, with as many goals conceded and six clean sheets. In total, 1,800 minutes of filming that finally opened the doors of Valdebebas after the end of Areola's loan at the white club.
Lunin is already trying to convince Zidane from the U20 World Cup
Lunin, who debuted as a starter in Ukraine's senior team two years ago (although he has not yet been in an official match), confirmed his projection in the U-20 World Cup held last summer in Poland . The goal was key in the final triumph of his team and, in addition, he won the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Another step in his training, which this season burns a new stage, for now, in the shadow of the non-negotiable Courtois.