Real Madrid not searching for Courtois replacement, says Ancelotti

Real Madrid’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti gestures during a press conference after a training session at Valdebebas Sport City in Madrid on August 11, 2023. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP)

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday the Spanish giants are not chasing a new goalkeeper in the transfer market to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois ahead of the new La Liga season.

Courtois is set to miss a major part of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training on Thursday.

But Ancelotti said Ukrainian back-up ‘keeper Andriy Lunin was ready to fill the void left by Courtois, who won the Yashin trophy last year awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper.

“We have total confidence in Lunin who is a great goalkeeper,” Ancelotti told a press conference ahead of Real’s La Liga opener at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

“He’s been very good during pre-season. He’s talented and what he lacks is what all young players lack — experience, the experience he’s going to gain day by day.”

Ancelotti said the club may still look to bolster their goalkeeping options.

“We still have time until August 31,” he added. “We’ll see in the next few days if we’re going to recruit another goalkeeper, to make up the numbers, because we count on Lunin.”

This season will mark the start of a new era at Madrid following the departure of Karim Benzema for Saudi Arabia after 14 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 14-time European champions have not signed an obvious replacement for their second-highest scorer of all-time, although they have brought in striker Joselu on loan from Espanyol and winger Brahim Diaz has returned to the club following his three-year loan spell at AC Milan.

“Up front, we’re very good.