Real Madrid star does not regret summer transfer decision despite reduced role | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s win over Real Sociedad last night took the team one step, and two wins, closer to the league title.

With the critical UCL semifinal against Bayern Munich scheduled in less than a week, Carlo Ancelotti opted to field a heavily rotated lineup on the night including Arda Guler, Fran Garcia, Joselu and Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal.

The Spanish goalkeeper, in particular, dished out a splendid performance with three saves, two of which came from shots inside the box and was rock solid in goal.

A true professional

Life in Madrid has not quite gone as Kepa would have expected.

The Spanish shot-stopper began the season as Los Blancos’ regular goalkeeper in all competitions, but an injury against Braga gave Andriy Lunin his chance to shine and helped him take over the starting position.

As revealed by MARCA, however, Kepa’s response to being snubbed after the Ukrainian star’s rise has been nothing but graceful. He has never turned up to training half-heartedly, nor has he shown any signs of unhappiness in the dressing room.

Kepa had a good game vs Sociedad. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

The 29-year-old had been waiting for his chance to prove to Ancelotti that he is still dependable, and he did not let the manager last night when gifted with that opportunity.

Kepa is aware that Lunin’s rise loses the doors to his potential future in Madrid. Yet, he wishes to leave a good mark on the club as long as his stay extends and return the trust they placed in him in August.

No regrets

Kepa Arrizabalaga was all set to sign for Bayern Munich last summer when Real Madrid made a last-minute entry into the race to swoop him away from Bavaria.

Having possibly lost the chance of playing for the German giants, he will travel to the Allianz Arena next week in the first leg of the UCL semifinal, ironically against the club he was close to joining.

Despite his reduced role under Ancelotti, however, the Spanish outlet add that Kepa has no regrets over his decision to snub Bayern for a loan in Madrid. He is confident that his form will be noticed, and future resolved.