Real Madrid News
Real Madrid finalising contract details for 25-year-old breakthrough star
Injuries to star players in the lineup tend to pave the path for secondary players in the squad to seize their opportunity and make a lasting impression.
After Thibaut Courtois sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury that required him to undergo surgery, the door to the starting XI swung wide open for Andriy Lunin.
But cutting in on his behalf, Kepa Arrizabalaga was entrusted with the responsibility to lead in the absence of Courtois, leaving Lunin compelled to continue awaiting his chance.
However, Lunin’s patience eventually bore fruit. After Kepa suffered an injury in November, the Ukrainian goalkeeper shone between the sticks and has not looked back since.
Now, the growing consensus is that he is presently Real Madrid’s most reliable shot-stopper, and the club recognizes his importance too.
Real Madrid and Lunin finalizing details of renewal
Indeed, as per a report from Caught Offside Andriy Lunin and Real Madrid are finalizing the last details of his renewal.
Reports already stated that the Merengues were confident about a renewal, thus Lunin’s decision to join Jorge Mendes’ agency will not have any bearing.
The goalkeeper’s current circumstances are quite different from what he faced not long ago.
There were doubts about Ancelotti’s level of trust in him, particularly given that the 64-year-old Italian seemed to prefer Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal over Lunin.
Even so, stand-out performances in high-stakes games, notably against RB Leipzig, have persuaded the Madrid hierarchy that the goalkeeper warrants a long-term role within the team.
Real Madrid banking on Lunin
Reports have mentioned that the Real Madrid board and coaching staff believe Andriy Lunin possesses enormous potential.
Not only has he impressed with his current level, but the club’s members have faith that the 25-year-old will keep improving and developing in the years to come.
As such, a renewal announcement shortly cannot be ruled out, with merely the final details left to be wrapped up.
Jose Mourinho is looking for solutions to Real Madrid’s problems, and the extended international break has given him time to analyse the team in depth.
Now, according to Defensa Central, one of the conclusions from his assessment concerns Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler, the players Mourinho believes should be central to the team’s football.
Although they operate in different positions, the manager wants all four to take a step forward on the pitch.
He wants them to push their lines higher and move closer to the opposition penalty area, believing this would help Real Madrid both defensively and offensively.
Mourinho wants to pin opponents inside their own box
Mourinho wants Real Madrid’s play to go through Bellingham, Valverde, Bernardo and Guler, but he has also asked them to start creating attacks much closer to the opposition area and to link up more closely with the forwards.
The idea is to make the team more compact in possession and force opponents deeper into their own half.
If Real Madrid’s midfield can build play much higher up the pitch, opponents will have to retreat. That would allow Mourinho’s side to improve their pressing, make it more effective and increase the volume of attacks.
As a result, Real Madrid should create considerably more opportunities to score.
A compact Real Madrid for 90 minutes
Mourinho wants his team to stay together and remain compact throughout the full 90 minutes, rather than doing so only in short periods.
Defensively, this would reduce the spaces available for opponents to build their attacks and could force them to play more directly, looking to exploit the space behind the defensive line.
That is an area where the pace and defensive ability of Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries, alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, can provide protection.
The same compactness could also benefit Real Madrid in attack by keeping opponents pinned back. Mourinho wants to use the quality of his players to create a greater number of dangerous situations.
Mourinho’s idea is that Real Madrid’s most talented players must push the team forward and help them put opponents under pressure much closer to the box.
