The rise of Andriy Lunin: From 3rd choice to carrying Real Madrid to UCL semi-final

Real Madrid have now made 16 semifinal appearances

The UEFA Champions League is the biggest club competition in world football. Real Madrid are a team which has dominated the majority of the competition and has lots of history and heritage in it. They have fielded many iconic players and legends such as Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo and many more. The players who often go overlooked are the goalkeepers.

Iker Casillas in Real Madrid was a wall and made some impeccable saves to help Madrid. His performances over the years especially in the UEFA Champions League made him a legend.

Thibaut Courtois has somewhat proved himself for Real Madrid as Iker’s next successor. Ever since his absence due to injuries, Andriy Lunin has stepped up and just recently helped Real Madrid beat Manchester City in a crucial quarter-final match. Let’s take a look at his journey from zero to hero.

Andriy Lunin joined Real Madrid in 2018 as their third-choice goalkeeper. Lunin was very patient and accepted loans to Leganés, Valladolid, and Oviedo. Moreover, Lunin even started this season as Madrid’s third-choice goalkeeper.

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After Courtois’s injury, Lunin stepped up and has been absolutely solid for Madrid. Lunin set a few records as well for Real Madrid.

Andrey Lunin was key in Real Madrid’s match against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League. He is now one of two keepers to make 9 saves in a UCL match. Lunin also made 8 saves against Manchester City in the second leg of the quarter-finals to take the match to penalties. Andrey Lunin then proceeded to make two much-needed penalty saves as the Spanish club made it to the semifinals of the 2023-2024 UCL.

The 25-year-old has made 27 appearances for the Los Blancos and managed to keep 12 clean sheets. He averages three saves per match and has also conceded less than a goal in every game. The player will hope to play his best football in the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

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