Carlo Ancelotti reveals he will continue to rotate his goalkeepers

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that he is unlikely to settle on a number one goalkeeper for the rest of the season and will instead continue to rotate between the sticks.

Los Blancos lost Thibaut Courtois to a long-term knee injury before the start of the 2023-24 campaign, which led to Kepa Arrizabalaga being signed on loan from Chelsea to join Andriy Lunin in the goalkeeping department.

Kepa has made 18 appearances for Real Madrid this season, with 12 of his outings coming in La Liga, while Lunin has played 14 times, including 10 appearances in Spain's top flight.

Lunin has featured in three of the team's last four league matches, including the last two against Las Palmas and Getafe.

The Ukraine international is being tipped to keep hold of the gloves for Sunday's Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid, but Ancelotti said during his press conference that he will continue to rotate, with one goalkeeper unlikely to keep hold of the starting role for the rest of the season.

© Reuters

"Their rotation helps themselves. No one is perfect, this keeps the competition high. I won't say who plays tomorrow," Ancelotti told reporters on Saturday.

"Lunin and Kepa don't know who will play tomorrow. I think rotating the two of them is a good thing for them."

Lunin has been with Real Madrid since 2018, but he has only made 31 appearances for the club in that time, having been back-up to Courtois.

The 24-year-old has a contract at Bernabeu until June 2025, but there have been suggestions that he could leave this summer in search of regular action, as Courtois is set to return before the end of the campaign.

© Reuters

Kepa, meanwhile, will see his loan deal at Bernabeu expire at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old has a contract with Chelsea until June 2025, but he has expressed a desire to join Real Madrid on a permanent basis during the upcoming market.

Ancelotti's side are not expected to pursue a long-term deal for the Spain international, though, as he would be a costly addition for a second-choice stopper.

Real Madrid have named Antonio Rudiger in their squad for Sunday's Madrid derby, with the Germany international bidding to overcome the thigh injury which he suffered in Thursday's 2-0 win over Getafe.

However, a decision on the centre-back's involvement against Atletico will not be made until Sunday morning.