Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after his error cost Los Blancos the opener in the Champions League match against Napoli.
Arriving on loan from Chelsea after the absence of Thibaut Courtois, injured in the anterior cruciate ligament, Kepa has integrated well into the Madrid team.
The Basque goalkeeper has settled in well at Madrid, making good saves against teams like Real Sociedad, but he has struggled to win balls in the box and, at times, distribute them.
After the 3-2 win over Napoli, Ancelotti did not deny Kepa’s problems with crosses.
“He’s fantastic between the poles, he made two great saves, he suffers a little in the air, that’s normal, he’s not two meters tall… Nobody is perfect. I could say that I am very beautiful and perfect, but no one is perfect, neither are you (laughs)”Ancelotti joked to Diario AS.
It’s fitting that Real Madrid would notice Courtois’ absence, given that the Belgian was considered the best in the world before his injury. However, when it comes to last-minute substitutions, the Whites will no doubt be happy to have found a player of Kepa’s quality.
