Carlo Ancelotti Gives an Update on Injured Thibaut Courtois and Lunin: “There Are Concerns, but We’re Confident”

Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid, addressed the media ahead of the highly anticipated La Liga clash with Valencia, scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2025. The match, part of the 30th matchday, comes at a critical time for Los Blancos, who are still in the race for the La Liga title. Ancelotti spoke at length about the injury situation affecting key players, particularly goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin. With a number of important players sidelined, Real Madrid fans are anxious about the squad’s preparedness for such a crucial period.

The Injury Concerns

The La Liga giants are currently facing a defensive crisis. The injury list includes key players such as Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, and Dani Ceballos, although Ceballos has made progress and is back to training with the ball. However, the situation with their goalkeepers has been the main cause for concern, with both Courtois and Lunin unavailable for Saturday’s clash with Valencia.

Thibaut Courtois has been out of action since sustaining an injury during the international break with Belgium. The injury to Courtois, which was initially expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks, has left Real Madrid with only Lunin as their available goalkeeper. However, the injury to Lunin during the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad has further complicated matters for the Madridistas.

Ancelotti’s Update on Courtois and Lunin

Carlo Ancelotti addressed these concerns in the press conference, offering an update on the injury statuses of both Courtois and Lunin. Ancelotti confirmed that Courtois is feeling significantly better and is hopeful to return to action in the upcoming midweek fixtures, possibly even in time for their crucial Champions League clash.

When it came to Lunin, Ancelotti admitted that the young Ukrainian goalkeeper would not be available for the Valencia match due to the injury sustained against Real Sociedad. However, he mentioned that Lunin would attempt to train with the team on Friday to assess his condition. Should Lunin not be able to feature, Ancelotti revealed that Fran Gonzalez, the 19-year-old goalkeeper from the reserve team, would likely make his first-team debut against Valencia.

Ancelotti spoke highly of Fran, saying, “He’s a talented young goalkeeper, and although he’s inexperienced at this level, we have full confidence in him. It’s a big opportunity for him, and if he is called upon, we will be happy for him to show what he can do.”

Team’s Overall Readiness

Despite the injury setbacks, Ancelotti remains optimistic about his squad’s readiness for the Valencia match. He expressed confidence in the team’s mental and physical preparedness, citing the team’s motivation and focus heading into the match. “We are in good shape, but there are still uncertainties due to the extended efforts in recent matches. We understand that Valencia is in good form, but we are determined to continue fighting for the title,” Ancelotti said.

The manager acknowledged that this match would be particularly challenging, given the intense nature of the competition at this point in the season. However, the veteran coach emphasized that the team is fully committed to maintaining their momentum and achieving positive results.

The Potential Resting of Jude Bellingham

With Jude Bellingham having played a key role in Real Madrid’s campaign this season, Ancelotti was asked whether the young English midfielder would be given a rest in the upcoming fixture. Ancelotti confirmed that resting Bellingham was a consideration, stating, “It’s definitely something we’re looking into. He’s recovering well and is in great form, but we’ll assess how he feels after today’s training session.”

Despite the possibility of Bellingham being rested, Ancelotti made it clear that the team’s collective effort would remain a priority. The manager emphasized that the squad is deep enough to adapt and cope with any rotation.

Maintaining Optimism and Pursuing Titles

In the broader context of Real Madrid’s ongoing campaign, Ancelotti reiterated the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, especially as they continue to fight on multiple fronts. “We have to stay positive. We are still in the hunt for La Liga and are close in all competitions,” he remarked. “We are confident that we can achieve our objectives, as we’ve proven in the past that we can deliver under pressure.”

He also praised the team’s collective defensive improvements, noting that although the team has conceded more goals than usual this season, the defensive work has been solid overall. “In games like the one against Real Sociedad, we conceded goals that were not reflective of our defensive effort. For example, David Alaba had an excellent game, but unfortunately, two moments of bad luck led to two goals,” Ancelotti explained.

While Real Madrid’s offensive power has been undeniable, especially with Kylian Mbappé’s remarkable contribution of 33 goals this season, Ancelotti acknowledged that the team still faces challenges at the back. “We are more efficient up front, but we need to continue working defensively to reduce the number of goals we concede,” he added.

Opportunities for Endrick and Arda Güler

Looking ahead, Ancelotti also discussed the potential for more opportunities for young stars Endrick Felipe and Arda Güler. Both players have impressed in recent matches, and Ancelotti was keen to emphasize that they will continue to play important roles. “They will get more chances, as they’ve shown their ability to contribute to the team when needed,” he noted. “They’ve been excellent, and they’ve proven they can be key players during this important stage of the season.”

The Copa del Rey Final Against Barcelona

With the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona looming, Ancelotti spoke about the significance of the match. “We are excited to play in a major final and get close to achieving another trophy this season,” he said. Ancelotti praised Barcelona for their recent form and emphasized that, despite the rivalry, there was immense respect between the two clubs. “Barcelona is playing well and is in a strong rhythm. We respect them, and we know it will be a tough match. We respect all our opponents, and Barcelona respects us as well,” he added.

Ancelotti’s Future: No Thoughts on Leaving

In light of ongoing speculation about his future at the club, Ancelotti was asked if winning a treble would prompt him to consider leaving. The Italian coach dismissed such notions, stating firmly, “I’m not going to ask to leave this club. My focus is on the team and the matches ahead.”

Conclusion: A Season Full of Challenges

As Real Madrid gears up for the final stretch of the season, with key matches in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, Ancelotti remains committed to leading his team to success. With injuries to key players, including the goalkeepers, and the ongoing battle for domestic and European honors, the challenges are significant. However, the resilience of the team and Ancelotti’s leadership will be crucial as Real Madrid strives to add more silverware to their already impressive collection.

The match against Valencia on Saturday will be an important test of the squad’s depth and character, with Ancelotti confident that his team is ready to rise to the occasion, despite the challenges they face.