Lunin fails to make the field: Mourinho does not count on Ukrainian in Real's squad

Ukrainian goalkeeper outside the main squad

Following an analysis of Madrid's Real squad after the first months of the new head coach's tenure, Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has found himself in the group of players that José Mourinho does not plan to use in the current season. This information is reported by The Athletic.

Statistics for the 27-year-old footballer in the 2026/27 tournament indicate a complete lack of playing practice: he has not played a single official match for Real, has not completed a single minute, has not made a single save, and has not kept a clean sheet.

Comparison with the previous season

For comparison, in the previous 2025/26 championship, Andriy Lunin was significantly more involved in the game. In total, across all tournaments, he played 12 matches, starting 11 of them. In 1,035 minutes played, he made 38 saves, conceded 21 goals, and kept one clean sheet.

In La Liga, the Ukrainian goalkeeper played six matches, conceding seven goals, making 16 saves, and recording one clean sheet.

Personnel decisions and competition

The return of the Portuguese specialist to Madrid is accompanied by an active search for the optimal squad. Despite six wins in eight matches, the team has already faced criticism following a 1-2 defeat to Atlético. According to The Athletic, the list of players who are not part of Mourinho's current plans includes, in addition to Lunin, Spanish centre-back Raúl Asencio. In the summer, the club attempted to sell the Spaniard but failed to find a suitable option.

Belgian Thibaut Courtois remains Real's primary goalkeeper. The club believes that, together with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé, he demonstrates a level that significantly surpasses the rest of the team's players. Courtois has already shown impressive performances, notably in the Champions League match against Inter, where he made seven saves and helped the team secure a victory.

Impact of the transfer campaign

Andriy Lunin's position is complicated by the fact that, following the summer transfer window, Real has acquired a significantly deeper squad. The club spent approximately €260 million on six new players, leading to a sharp increase in competition for most positions. Under such conditions, the Ukrainian's chances of getting playing time appear minimal.