How Real Madrid boss Ancelotti plans to reward Kepa over season’s final weeks | OneFootball

An insight into the plans of Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti to reward the unwavering professionalism of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has on Thursday been provided.

The info comes courtesy of Relevo, and points towards Kepa at long last being in line for a return between the posts in Spain’s capital.

The on-loan Chelsea man, for his part, has not taken to the pitch for over three months now.

This comes with Kepa having come up well short of Andriy Lunin, in the battle to act as the replacement for long-term injury absentee Thibaut Courtois across the season’s most crucial stretch.

And yet, behind the scenes, the Spanish international has not complained, nor kicked up any sort of fuss.

Instead, Kepa has established himself as a valuable presence in the dressing room, acting as a source of encouragement and consummate professionalism.

Never was as much more evident than in Real’s Champions League quarter-final penalty shootout victory over Manchester City, when the 29-year-old was spotted giving instructions to the aforementioned Lunin regarding the tendencies of City’s stars from 12 yards.

And, as alluded to above, such class on Kepa’s part has not gone at all unappreciated on the part of the coaching staff at Valdebebas.

In turn, as per the aforementioned Relevo, Carlo Ancelotti intends to reward the club’s out-of-favour loanee with a starting berth in one of his side’s remaining six league outings.

It is not ruled out that as much could come as soon as tomorrow, when Real Madrid make the trip to Anoeta, for a meeting with Real Sociedad.

Conor Laird | GSFN