Real Madrid News
Carlo Ancelotti will rotate goalkeepers for Union Berlin vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s winning streak was halted following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Real Betis this past weekend.
However, the Spanish giants would like to move on, as they take on Union Berlin this midweek, in what will be the final Champions League group stage game this season.
Real Madrid have already secured five back-to-back wins so far, thus securing qualification to the knockout rounds. The game against Union Berlin, therefore, could be a dead rubber, thus allowing coach Carlo Ancelotti to make some rotations.
Ancelotti to rotate goalkeepers vs Union Berlin
One of the many changes could come in the form of Andriy Lunin making way for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Lunin has served as Real Madrid’s main man between the sticks for the past few weeks, especially following Kepa’s injury.
But even with Kepa’s return, Lunin has continued to serve in between the sticks for the past few matches, much to the rejoicing of many Real Madrid fans.
Lunin, after all, was always thought to be the ideal replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois at the start of the season. But Real Madrid ended up signing Kepa.
But it appears the Ukrainian international is finally receiving his opportunities in the first team.
That said, Ancelotti might look to rejig the goalkeeper position heading into the Union Berlin game. According to Miguel Angel Diaz (h/t Madrid Xtra), the Real Madrid coach could rotate things around this midweek.
That means Kepa could return in goal, at the expense of Lunin. This might not be a welcome move for the fans, especially given the way Lunin has performed in recent weeks.
Kepa, nevertheless, deserves a chance in the first team, as the former Athletic Club starlet has not performed badly since joining Real Madrid in the summer.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
