Why is Thibaut Courtois missing from the Real Madrid squad to face Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey? | OneFootball

Earlier today Carlo Ancelotti announced his Real Madrid squad which will be available to face Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey tomorrow evening.

One of the glaring omissions from the 21-man squad was the team’s starting stopper Thibaut Courtois, who has been vital this season for Los Blancos.

Instead, Andriy Lunin is expected to start between the sticks for Real Madrid tomorrow night at the Bernabéu, as they take on a Celta Vigo side which has scored six in their last three games.

So why has the Belgian goalkeeper missed out? According to Ancelotti, it isn’t down to injury, but rather the fact that he is going to be rested for the tie.

As per Marca, the Real Madrid coach confirmed that Lunin is set to play the match, and that he’d rather rest Courtois completely than have him left sitting on the bench.

Courtois played the full 90 minutes of his side’s Super Cup final loss against Barcelona on Tuesday, where he conceded five goals, so perhaps there is more to this story than Ancelotti is letting on?

GSFN | Ciaran Currie