Real Madrid face goalkeeping crisis before Arsenal game | OneFootball

Real Madrid could be without both senior goalkeepers when they face Arsenal, with Andriy Lunin suffering a muscle tear and Thibaut Courtois still unfit.

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Real Madrid are facing a severe goalkeeping crisis just days before their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal, with both senior options in serious doubt.

According to Friday’s edition of AS, Andriy Lunin has suffered a tear to his right calf muscle and is almost certainly ruled out, while Thibaut Courtois, still recovering from persistent knee issues, remains short of match fitness and has not yet returned to full training.

AS 4 April 2025 – Alarm in the goal

The situation escalated after Lunin reported pain during Madrid’s recent league match against Real Sociedad, playing on after feeling a sharp twinge around the 51st minute. Though he finished the game, the discomfort persisted, and tests on Thursday confirmed a muscle tear.

Club doctors estimate that Lunin could be sidelined for up to three weeks, and the idea of a painkilling injection, which has been suggested, carries a high risk of worsening the injury. According to medical sources, “he would have to be injected to play. And that carries a notable risk of the injury worsening.”

Meanwhile, Courtois continues to deal with complications following two major knee injuries within the past year.

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After initially recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, he later suffered a meniscus injury in his right knee – the “healthy” leg that was overloaded during rehabilitation.

Since then, Courtois has been battling intermittent swelling, discomfort, and muscular issues in the lower leg, including a ruptured cyst that has caused lingering fluid buildup.

He has not played since and remains on an extended recovery programme involving physiotherapy and strength conditioning.

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While there remains a slim chance Courtois could return to face Valencia this weekend, the club’s focus is reportedly on having him available for the trip to the Emirates Stadium.

A final decision on both goalkeepers is expected following Madrid’s last training session on Friday, but the signs are pessimistic.

At present, 19-year-old Fran González, the Castilla goalkeeper, is the most likely starter for the weekend and could be forced to continue into the Champions League. Known for his aerial dominance and calm presence, he joined from Cultural Leonesa in 2022 and has quietly risen through the academy ranks. His idol is Courtois. Now, he may be called to replace him.