Fran Gonzalez set to start for Madrid: Lunin a doubt against Valencia

Ukraine's Andriy Lunin is in doubt for Real Madrid's game against Valencia this Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu (16:15 CET) due to calf discomfort. Thibaut Courtois continues to be absent due to muscular discomfort that has caused him to miss Los Blancos' last two games.

In the case of the Belgian, his last game dates back to 20 March in what was his return to the national team. He did not take part in the second game against Ukraine and returned to Madrid with an overload from which, in the first few days, the coaching and medical staff hoped he would recover by the weekend.

However, Courtois is still not back in goal two days before the game against Valencia and five days before the visit of Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals. Lunin is also doubtful due to injury (some reports point to a soleus problem and a 3-4 week lay-off), although his participation against Valencia has not been ruled out.

Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to use youth players in case he is unavailable, where Fran Gonzalez, a 1.99m tall goalkeeper who has been called up to the first team 35 times this season, is tipped to fill the void left by Lunin and Courtois in the starting eleven.

An Under-21 international in November, Fran Gonzalez has made 16 appearances for Madrid Castilla in which he has conceded 19 goals. Fran Gonzalez has regained his starting place under Raul Gonzalez in the last two games, after losing his place in the first game of 2025 in favour of Mario de Luis.