3 Real Madrid players who have to stand out during pre-season
By Sudhir Salvi
ANDRIY LUNIN – REAL MADRID GOALKEEPER
Andriy Lunin has been a Real Madrid player for a few years now, but he has had just one full season as part of the first-team: The previous one, wherein he was back-up to Thibaut Courtois. The Ukrainian international’s chances were largely limited, but at the same time, his Belgian counterpart was overworked in the busiest parts of the season without any rest.
Lunin played just one game in all competitions last season out of over 50. The only reason which justifies his lack of involvement under Zinedine Zidane was a lack of quality which he showed during training sessions and also while on loan. Moreover, Los Blancos were reluctant in extending Alphonse Areola’s loan beyond 2019/20 when he was at the club on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Courtois played till the quarter-finals at the Euros, which means he will most likely not return to training until later this month. Lunin could start and play large roles in one or more friendlies and has to take his chances. Otherwise, Los Merengues will need to ponder over signing a secondary goalkeeper to offer competition to Courtois. The 22-year-old must give his all during this pre-seasonm or else he could be sent on yet another loan spell.