A Ukrainian is always ready for new achievements
Ukrainian goalkeeper Real Andrey Lunin spoke about the situation at the Madrid club in the 2023/24 season and the situation when Thibaut Courtois and Kepa Arrizabalaga were out of action at the same time.
“Mentally, Madrid is demanding of everyone. What do I mean by that? I have mentally prepared myself to be the second goalkeeper and to be ready when needed if Thibaut Courtois has any discomfort.”
“But then he got injured, which was the worst thing that could have happened to him. It was a shame because he always inspired and supported me. At that moment, I also supported him because he deserves it more than anyone else, although for me it could have been an opportunity.”
“Since then I have tried to do everything to show that you can win with me, that I can be No. 1, that you can be calm with me too. I played in the first two games of the championship, but then the coach changed his mind, I had to be the second goalkeeper. Again I had to work and wait.”
“Psychologically, my wife helped me a lot, as always during these years, thanks to her I was never depressed. So when Kepa got injured in the warm-up, I was ready. And that day I was lucky to save the penalty, which gave me confidence and an adrenaline rush.”
“I tried to show that you can win important things with me, that I am ready for big things. This is what I want, what I work on every day,” Lunin said.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper has informed Real that he plans to begin pre-season training with him at the club’s Valdebebas training base. Lunin’s agent Jorge Mendes will arrive in Madrid this week to discuss the Ukrainian goalkeeper’s future with the club.
Real is interested in extending Andriy’s contract, which currently runs until the summer of 2025. The Blancos continue to see the Ukrainian as a backup goalkeeper for Thibaut Courtois.
At the same time, Lunin himself does not want to extend the current agreement, and his decision was influenced by Courtois’s appearance in the starting lineup for the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund (2:0), when the Belgian had just recovered from a long-term injury.
In April, it was reported that Lunin had received offers from Manchester United, Bayern Munich and PSG (the Parisians were allegedly ready to pay 18 million euros for the goalkeeper).
Representatives of Atletico, Betis, Juventus, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle also contacted Real, with the latter two reportedly ready to pay 25 million euros for the Ukrainian.
Manchester City is also considering the Ukrainian as an alternative to Ederson. Another contender for Andrey is Liverpool.
Lunin played 31 matches for Real in all tournaments in the 2023/24 season. The goalkeeper conceded 32 goals and kept 12 clean sheets.
Real Madrid became Spanish champions last season and triumphed in the Champions League.
Source: Sportarena
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