Leading 4-1 at half time, there was little that could go wrong for recently crowned Spanish Champions, Real Madrid. However, somehow, they conceded three goals in 11 minutes and allowed Villareal to level the game 4-4, which is where it ended. While in La Liga, this game was inconsequential for Los Blancos, certain players, including Eder Militao may have just scratched their own names of the Champions League team list.
Militao recently recovered from an ACL injury that kept him out for eight months, and upon his return last month, the Brazilian looked solid.
Unfortunately, it all fell apart for the 26-year-old, who couldn’t deal with Norwegian Alexander Sorloth, in the Sunday night encounter at Estadio de la Ceramica. Sorloth bagged four goals, with Militao being in the frame for all.
While blaming him single-handedly wouldn’t be fair, Militao could have done better in all the goals Real Madrid conceded. What it has done, however, is convince Carlo Ancelotti that Militao isn’t ready for the big games yet.
With the Champions League final just two weeks away, the Italian manager will look to start club captain Nacho and Antonio Rudiger in defense, as he has done almost all season long (per Marca).
Another player, who per reports will spend the 90 minutes at Wembley on the bench is Andriy Lunin.
First-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois injured his ACL before the season began, and because he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Real Madrid was worried.
Lunin, however, filled in well. He saved Real Madrid on several occasions and fought off the pressure imposed on him by Kepa Arrizabalaga’s signing. However, with Courtois now back, Lunin will likely make way for the Belgian goalkeeper.
Courtois is the favorite to start against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, and Lunin conceding four goals to Villareal won’t do him any favor.
Courtois is also expected to start Real Madrid’s final league game of the season against Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend. Likely, Lunin has already played his last game of the season for Los Merengues.
