MX23RW : Thursday, August 23 13:07:10

Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui hints at goalkeeper rotation

Lopetegui hints at goalkeeper rotation
© Reuters
Julen Lopetegui refuses to guarantee regular football for big-money signing Thibaut Courtois, hinting that he will instead rotate the Belgian keeper with Keylor Navas.

Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui has revealed that he will select his goalkeeper on a 'week-by-week' basis this season, despite spending £35m to sign Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea.

The Belgium international missed out on selection entirely for the midweek UEFA Super Cup defeat against Atletico Madrid, five days after completing his switch to the Spanish capital, meaning another start for Keylor Navas.

Lopetegui is making no promises to Courtois ahead of the La Liga opener at home to Getafe on Sunday, suggesting that he is prepared to make the 26-year-old wait for his first appearance in Real Madrid colours.

"There isn't a magic formula. We need to manage it week by week," he said at his pre-match press conference. "We will see as we go who is best for the team at any given time. We have two magnificent goalkeepers, and others as well.

"But of course these are two international-level keepers and we will try to manage it well and make decisions for the team. Of course there is huge competition for the team but I see it as something positive in that position. It's good for the team to have competition."

Navas started 27 league games for Los Blancos last season and a further 11 in their successful Champions League campaign.

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Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring in his side's UEFA Super Cup clash with Atletico Madrid on August 15, 2018
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sevilla11004133
2Barcelona11003033
3Levante11003033
4Real Madrid11002023
5Athletic Bilbao11002113
6Huesca11002113
7Real Sociedad11002113
8Atletico MadridAtletico10101101
9Celta Vigo10101101
10Espanyol10101101
11Valencia10101101
12GironaGirona10100001
13Real Valladolid10100001
14EibarEibar100112-10
15Leganes100112-10
16Villarreal100112-10
17Getafe100102-20
18Rayo Vallecano100114-30
19AlavesAlaves100103-30
20Real Betis100103-30

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