Andriy Lunin (Krasnograd, 1999) has had a somewhat atypical career. He arrived at Real Madrid in 2018 from Zorya Lugansk for 8.5 million and barely made 29 appearances during his loan spells to Leganés, Valladolid and Oviedo.
However, this season, despite the arrival of Kepa, He became ‘number 1’ for Ancelotti after Courtois’ injury. Not only that. The countless stops of him, especially in the first leg against Leipzig (0-1), and in the return against City (1-1) -stopped Bernardo Silva and Kovacic’s penalties in the shootout- They carried Madrid to the Champions League final.
Madrid’s historic penalties against City: Lunin’s saves, Rüdiger’s decisive…
“I am not a hero. The only difficulty is the war in my country… It’s not easy to go to training day after day when you receive the worst news. I try to help them as I can. I notice the support of those people and I try to send it back. I am proud of them and that this will end soon. “We will all live in peace,” he assured after his recital at the Etihad.
Lunin’s decisive strategy to become Manchester’s hero
Unfortunately, for Lunin, Courtois’ recovery and an untimely flu They deprived him of playing in the final against Borussia Dortmund. “I was a little disappointed because of the illness. Having made it this far, of course you want to play. It is the last game and the most important of the year“acknowledges the Ukrainian, who had to travel separately so as not to infect the rest of the expedition: “In any case, I understand the contribution I had, that’s why, for me, it was important to be at Wembley. Missing the game, the awards… it would have been a hard blow.”
Having made it this far, of course you want to play. It is the last game and the most important of the year
His replacement generated debate. “I would have to play Lunin”, assured Casillas. The mythical thinks the same Serhiy Rebrov, Ukraine coach: “In my opinion he deserved to play.”
Now he is looking to vindicate himself in the Euro and, curiously, it is Rebrov who ‘is in Ancelotti’s shoes’. Trubin was the starting goalkeeper during the Qualifiersbut Lunin took the position and it was key in the victories over Bosnia (1-2) and Iceland (2-1) in the play-offs.
“All our goalkeepers have a very high level. I am very satisfied,” boasts Rebrov, who will have to choose after dividing the three previous friendlies between Trubin, Bushchan and Lunin: “I talk a lot with Rustam Khuzdzhamov [entrenador de porteros] about who will play. “We have made some reflections on this and will make a decision just before the debut.”
However, everything indicates that it will be the Real Madrid player. Even Trubin, Benfica’s starter, seems to ‘throw in the towel’: “Lunin’s progress is excellent. Plus, he’s a great guy who has survived a lot of pressure. Putting Lunin in the play-offs was a good choice because the team qualified for the Euros. Now, again, it is the coach’s decision. “I can only train and try my best.”
Just in case, Lunin has already met with Kroos: “I spoke with Toni and told him that it would be good to see each other in the Euro Cup, preferably in the final, because it would be the last time we met on a playing field.since in Madrid we will not share a dressing room again.”
Lunin, world champion… with Ukraine
Yes, you may not remember it, but Lunin, in addition to having won two Leagues, two Champions Leagues, a Cup… with Real Madrid, He is world champion with Ukraine.
The goalkeeper was one of the pillars of the under-20 team that won the 2019 World Cup in Poland.In fact, he was named ‘Best Goalkeeper’ of the tournament by FIFA.. She got it, yes, his way. In an atypical way.
The moon He played six of the seven games as a starter, kept a clean sheet on two occasions and conceded four goals.. The victory in the quarterfinals against Colombia (0-1) was lost, however. Shevchenko called him urgently with the senior team – he had already made his debut – for two Euro qualifying matches.
Fortunately, he was able to return in time for the semis with Italy (1-0)and the victory in the final against Kang-in Lee’s South Korea (3-1). Now he will seek the even more difficult one with two of his companions on that trip: Valeriy Bondar and Yukhym Konoplya. Your ‘Eurorevalidation’ begins now.
