Andriy Lunin has boldly laid down his intention to displace Thibaut Courtois as Real Madrid's No. 1 goalkeeper.
Lunin returned to UEFA Champions League action for Madrid on Wednesday and was one of few players to emerge from Los Blancos' lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Lille with any credit.
Jonathan David dispatched a decisive penalty in first-half stoppage time but he was thwarted by an outstanding double save from Lunin before that.
The Ukraine international played a key role in Madrid's run to last season's final and was the hero in a quarterfinal shoot-out victory over Manchester City. However, Courtois returned from a serious knee injury to play in the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
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Courtois has been first choice as expected this season, although that did not stop Lunin from signing a long-term contract extension until June 2030 last month. An abductor injury for the Belgian gave his understudy the chance to remind onlookers of his qualities.
"My renewal is a gesture of confidence from the club towards me. From the first day I have said that this is the club of my dreams," Lunin told reporters after the match in Lille, via Marca.
"Obviously nobody is going to give you anything and everyone has seen what I am capable of doing. I can be No. 1 here and I will continue to fight for my position with the utmost respect for Courtois."
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Head coach Carlo Ancelotti felt Lille deserved their famous triumph and criticised his own team's performance. Lunin felt the quick turnaround from last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in El Derbi played a part.
"Playing like this is difficult physically and mentally," he added. "Two days ago we had a very demanding match physically and emotionally."
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