Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti insists there is no debate within the club over the number one goalkeeper.
Andriy Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga have been in and out of the side over recent weeks, with both coming under fire for high-profile mistakes, as Ancelotti continued rotating his keepers in the long-term absence of Thibaut Courtois.
Lunin made an error which contributed to Real’s Copa dey Rey exit at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid in midweek, with Ancelotti confirming immediately after that Kepa would return for Sunday’s LaLiga clash at home to Almeria.
“There are no immaculate goalkeepers. There are mistakes and both Kepa and Lunin have made them,” Ancelotti told a press conference.
“There is no internal debate. The debate is outside, but not inside. There is no debate here. I choose the goalkeeper and he is done.”
A number of Real players were criticised after the defeat by Atletico which came just four days after they won the Spanish Super Cup with a 4-1 victory over Barcelona in Riyadh.
Aurelien Tchouameni was picked out for his role in Antoine Griezmann’s goal which put Atletico 3-2 up in extra time.
Ancelotti admitted the France midfielder could have done better but is confident his squad remain in good shape.
“He (Tchouameni) played the Super Cup final at his best level, perhaps his best game. The cup match he did not play from the beginning because he was tired,” Ancelotti added.
“He came on, he tried to give what could to help. He could have done better on Griezmann’s goal, yes, in this sense there are no doubts.
“I listen and try to see what is happening in the dressing room environment. We continue in a good dynamic and we are motivated. The team is competing and playing football very well.”
Real have lost just once in LaLiga this season but sit second, a point behind surprise frontrunners Girona, albeit with a game in hand.
Ancelotti’s men welcome an Almeria side who are cut adrift at the foot of the table with just six points having failed to win any of their 20 matches so far.
The 64-year-old is keen to see Los Blancos take advantage of a run of league matches before the Champions League returns in February.
“It is an important moment of the season because we have five league games before the Champions League and we want to do well in these games,” Ancelotti said.
“We are focused on tomorrow’s game and we play against a team in which the data says that it has six points.
“It is a team to respect and with quality. They are still alive and tomorrow they’re going to fight to win the game. We have to be prepared.”
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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