Huge surprise in the squad list for the 27th La Liga matchday clash. While Thibaut Courtois was expected to start in goal this Sunday, it is Andriy Lunin who will instead guard the net.

Real Madrid will aim to secure three crucial points in this 27th La Liga matchday. Following last weekend’s defeat against Real Betis, Carlo Ancelotti and his men will need to step up to overcome the surprising Rayo Vallecano side, currently seventh in the league. However, for this crucial match, Thibaut Courtois will not feature. Indeed, although he was expected to be included in the squad, Real Madrid’s first-choice goalkeeper is absent from the list, leading to Andriy Lunin’s inclusion in the starting lineup.

According to reports from Diario AS, the towering Belgian goalkeeper will miss Sunday’s match due to a minor strain in his right patella. There is no reason for major concern, nor any need to sound the alarm, but there is some discomfort. To avoid any risks, Carlo Ancelotti has decided to rest his main shot-stopper so that he can return at full capacity for Wednesday’s crucial Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Atlético Madrid at the Civitas Metropolitano.

For once, Lunin will get a chance to play in La Liga rather than the Copa del Rey. The 26-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper, who was already instrumental against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg a few days ago, is expected to step up in Courtois’ absence. With the former Chelsea goalkeeper unavailable, Real Madrid’s lineup undergoes yet another shake-up, particularly in defence, as Antonio Rüdiger will also to miss the match against Rayo due to illness.