- Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund in Champions League final on Saturday
- Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has been struck down by illness in the build up
- Sunday league, grassroots, pub football… how Pep’s influence has trickled down the pyramid – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Real Madrid will travel to London for the Champions League final on Thursday but one member of the team will not be making the journey with them, according to reports.
Los Blancos are looking to win club football’s biggest prize for a 15th time when they face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday night.
And The Sun report that goalkeeper Andriy Lunin will be making his way to London alone after coming down with flu earlier this week.
Lunin stepped up well in the absence of the injured Thibaut Courtois for the majority of the campaign and was a hero of the penalty shootout victory over Man City in the quarter-finals.
The Madrid players will arrive in the English capital on Thursday while Marca report that Lunin will touch down on either Friday or Saturday to reduce the chances of him transmitting his illness.
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has been struck down by illness ahead of Saturday’s final
Carlo Ancelotti must now decide if Lunin can join up with the squad and if he should play
Thiabaut Courtois (left) has returned to fitness and could start over Lunin (right)
Lunin’s wife Anastasiia Tomazova has shared photos of her husband training at home this week and Ancelotti must now decide whether to include him.
Even if he is well enough to play, Lunin’s spot in the showpiece is by no means a certainty.
Lunin is designated cup keeper but Courtois returned to action at the start of the month and Ancelotti now faces a dilemma.
The Madrid boss says the situation is ‘really difficult because ‘both of them deserve to play this final.’
‘Lunin, because he did a fantastic season, and Courtois, because he is back from his injury and everyone knows the quality of Courtois.’
