Ancelotti has decided on Real Madrid’s No. 1 between Kepa and Lunin after Spanish Super Cup | OneFootball

Having two goalkeepers in serious form, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has regularly been quizzed over his preference between Andriy Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Both players have proved their mettle in different ways over the course of the season, and after all, deserve to be a starter for the men in white.

The onus of managing their playing time thus falls on the manager. Ancelotti has given both players regular time to hone their skills, but at this point, a pre-agreed system may be the way to go.

The division of labour

According to reports from MARCA, the Real Madrid gaffer has done just that. He has split the duties based on the competition between the two competitive stars, with the Ukrainian receiving the lion’s share.

As revealed by the Spanish publication, Andriy Lunin will be Real Madrid’s first-choice starting goalkeeper in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League from here on in the season.

Kepa, on the other hand, would act as the deputy and will take up the responsibility in the Copa del Rey and is expected to start between the sticks against Atletico Madrid in the competition next week.

The Spanish Super Cup factor

Real Madrid pulled off a sensational win over Atletico Madrid last night to secure a place in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Kepa started in goal on the night, but despite the result, the fact remains that he conceded three goals on the night and was not altogether convincing.

Ancelotti refused to give away whether the Spaniard would continue to start in the final of the competition scheduled for Sunday.

“He has played a good game in my opinion. In the first two goals he could not do anything and in the third he may have been bothered by Morata’s jump. We’ll see who the goalkeeper for the final is,” he said about the on-loan star in his post-match press conference.

With the Super Cup duty not explicitly allotted as per the aforementioned report, it remains to be seen if Ancelotti retains his faith in Kepa on the night or opts to trust Lunin instead. Only time will tell.