Real Madrid fringe star can draw confidence from Xabi Alonso’s time at Leverkusen to earn minutes this season | OneFootball

At Real Madrid, the hierarchy in goalkeeping is crystal clear. Thibaut Courtois remains the undisputed number one, the man who has delivered countless decisive moments in recent years and has been central to the club’s latest Champions League triumphs.

Behind him, Andriy Lunin continues to wait for his chance, knowing that at 26 years old, time is ticking on his ambition to become a first-choice goalkeeper at the very top level.

Now, with the summer transfer window approaching its end, the Ukrainian remains in Madrid, clinging to the hope that he can find inspiration from Xabi Alonso’s managerial model at Bayer Leverkusen.

Xabi Alonso’s blueprint for the backup goalkeeper

As reported by SPORT, at Leverkusen, Alonso managed to give meaningful roles to both his starting and substitute goalkeepers.

Slovakian Lukas Hradecky was his first choice, but Czech keeper Matej Kovar still played a key part across different competitions.

During the 2023/24 season, when Leverkusen lifted both the Bundesliga and the German Cup, Kovar featured in 17 games and collected over 1,500 minutes.

Andriy Lunin can still hope. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

He was trusted in crucial knockout matches, giving him opportunities to grow and contribute while Hradecky maintained his place in the league.

Kovar even played in the Europa League final. This approach allowed both keepers to feel involved, rather than leaving the second choice with nothing but bench time.

Lunin’s reality at Madrid

This model is what Lunin, who is wanted by Fenerbahce, looks towards, but the reality at Real Madrid is starkly different. Courtois is not only the club’s starting goalkeeper but one of the most influential figures in the dressing room.

Unlike at Leverkusen, where Alonso preached competition and rotation, Madrid operate on the principle that Courtois plays unless he is injured.

Lunin therefore finds himself in limbo – good enough to start for many clubs across Europe, but blocked by one of the best goalkeepers of his generation.

For now, the Ukrainian clings to the idea that Alonso’s model can exist at Madrid. But deep down, he will be aware that unless something changes drastically, his future as a permanent starter will have to be found away from the Santiago Bernabeu.