Real Madrid: Keylor Navas expected to return to action on Thursday
By Ben Sundock
We haven’t seen Keylor Navas in goal for Real Madrid since Haloween night in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey. After 36 days without making an appearance, the Costa Rican will make his return to the lineup on Thursday.
There have been two players in the Real Madrid squad who have struggled mightily to get playing time under new manager Santiago Solari. Those two players are Isco and Keylor Navas.
Before you start jumping to conclusions, let me explain some things. First and foremost, I am not insinuating that Solari has something against Navas or Isco. I think it is simply his preference that is hindering these player’s chance to get starts in more matches.
Both of these guys had to have surgery this fall to fix some ailments. Isco underwent emergency surgery for acute appendicitis which forced him to miss several weeks. Navas, on the other hand, took some time during the international break at the beginning of November to get knee surgery to clean up some cartilage in his knee.
Since Solari took command of this club, Navas has featured in just one match, Solari’s first. After giving Keylor the start in net for the first leg of the Copa Del Rey against Melilla, it looks like the Real Madrid boss will give him the start this week in the second leg.
Navas and Thibaut Courtois were expected to share the duties in La Liga and have Navas play the majority of the Champions League matches. That, however, was Julen Lopetegui’s plan. Santiago Solari’s plan is not similar at all.
The former player turned coach has chosen the Belgian international in five consecutive matches including two UCL ties. Courtois has won four out of the five, but it is that one loss that has Madridistas questioning whether or not Courtois can be the regular starter.
Fans and media members have been vocal about Courtois’ inability to play with the ball at his feet and distribute the ball where it needs to go. Navas, on the other hand, is an expert when the ball is near him.
His passing is world-class for a goalkeeper and his awareness at all times is simply unmatched.
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Navas returned to training a couple weeks back after having some time to recover from surgery, however, he has been left off the squad sheet twice since.
Maybe Solari is nervous about putting Keylor back in for a La Liga match after he has missed so much time and so many matches. Bringing him back against Melilla at home with a 4-0 aggregate lead is smart.
There will be little stress on him with such a nice cushion and he can get back to game speed.