Carlo Ancelotti reveals why Thibaut Courtois will START the Champions League final for Real Madrid over Andriy Lunin despite playing only four games all season

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Thibaut Courtois will start ahead of Andriy Lunin in the Champions League final. 

The Belgian goalkeeper has played just four time all season having suffered an ACL injury last August. 

In his absence Lunin established himself as the No 1, ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga, and delivered some superb performances in Real’s run to the final including in the quarter-final penalty shootout win over Manchester City. 

The Ukrainian came down with a flu earlier this week and will not be involved in the showdown with Borussia Dortmund. 

‘Lunin has had the flu. It didn’t allow him to train or travel’, Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference on Friday. 

Lunin will be on the bench at Wembley after coming down with a flu earlier this week 

‘He’s going to travel tomorrow. He’s going to be on the bench of course and yes, Courtois is going to be in goal tomorrow’.  

On Thursday, Lunin issued an apology to fans, posting on Instagram: ‘I’m so sorry that I can’t prepare the most important game of the season and the most important in my life together with the team…

‘Thank you so much for all your messages, support and encouragement!!! Here’s to the 15th’

Courtois will come into the final match fit as he returned from his long layoff this month and was involved in some games. 

The 32-year-old played four of Real’s last five matches of the LaLiga season including 63 minutes against Real Betis last weekend. 

Despite recovering, Courtois was earlier this week left out of Belgium’s provisional 25-man squad for the European Championships. 

Meanwhile, Los Blancos are looking to win club football’s bi. gest prize for a 15th time