Carlo Ancelotti already thinking about the final of the Champions League. Something logical for him Real Madridwith the Spanish League won and celebrated in Cibeles this past Sunday, and with only a couple of weeks to face the Borussia Dortmund in Wembley. Now everything is tactical tests, muscle tune-ups and matches so as not to lose rhythm or touch. And against Alavs it was an important one because the Italian lined up, almost entirely, his ideal eleven. And that includes Thibaut Courtois.
Before the initial whistle, Madrid presented its League number 36 at Santiago Bernabu. The club placed the previous 35 on the central circle and Alavs had the detail of making the aisle for the League champion, something applauded by the public. Champions, champions!, sang the Chamartín fans, who although they filled the stadium were more relaxed, normal, than against Bayern or in Cibeles. The celebration was past.
Already in the match, Ancelotti started the clash with Courtois in goal. An interesting detail because it is the second consecutive start for the Belgian in just four days. He did not receive any goals against him Cdiznot against him Granada and before him Alavs demonstrated an extraordinary level: clean sheet, another one, and ten saves, five of them on shots taken inside the area. He is the first Madrid goalkeeper to make ten saves without conceding a goal since Casillas in 2008.
Accumulate now 270 minutes in Mayall in the League, while The moon He has only played the 90 against Bayern in Champions. The coach insists that the decision has not been made, but his choices in recent days point in one direction: Courtois as the starter on June 1 at Wembley. Courtois has done very well, like Militao. We are convinced that we are going to reach day 1 at our best, the squad is well, motivated and we have a good dynamic, assured Ancelotti, who insisted that everything is clear for the coaching staff and the squad. Of the two remaining games, one will be played by Lunin and the other by Courtoisgo.
If Ancelotti is looking for something these days, it is for Courtois to respond to his idea. And so the Belgian did. In the first minute he stopped a very clear double chance of Findtwo shots less than a meter from his body, making him gigantic, and he received applause and chants from the stands, eager to see him at a good level despite the affection shown to Lunín throughout the year.
I understand that there are people who might doubt, but I knew that I was going to come back strong. I am the same Courtois or even better, the Belgian admitted. I needed a game like today, with a lot of shots. I needed those close, fast shots, reflexes, in that stop on the bottom left I felt proud. What I have trained for so long now comes out on the field. The team now has a few days off, but I will continue training with Llopis. I’m happy to be able to play games, I’m very happy.
Next to the goalkeeper, Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy, Camavinga, Kroos, Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius y Rodrygo. Or what is the same: the starting lineup for the continental final with the only absence of Rdigerwho Ancelotti rested after starting in Granada. Militao and Nacho They compete to accompany him in the center of the defense, with the Brazilian receiving minutes to test his football and physical level. He has been a starter in the last four league games: Real Sociedad, Cdiz, Granada and Alavs. As with Courtois, the data explains Ancelotti’s idea: he wants to see if he can start against Dortmund.
In the center of the field the injury of Tchouamnidoubts until the days before the final due to a stress problem in his left foot, makes things very clear about the six remaining players.
Bellingham’s goal elevates him in the fight for the Pichichisomething that It’s not important, according to Ancelotti, but it would put the icing on the cake for an extraordinary English league season in its debut. At the moment he has 19, tied with Sorloth already one of Dovbyk. 15 leads Viniciuswhich I recognized as being in my best version. Bellingham and I have a great connection.
2024-05-14 22:25:46
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