Conceding five goals on duty for Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu midweek, Rafa Marin was put to the ultimate test by his parent club as Los Blancos romped to 93 points on the league standings.
The on-loan defender, for his part, was solid in defence on the night as he recorded seven clearances, blocked two shots, made one interception, one tackle, one last-man tackle and won two duels on the night.
With the summer transfer window approaching and his loan at Alaves coming to a close, the player is close to returning to Real Madrid. Isabel Pacheco, however, reports that there are European giants monitoring Marin’s situation.
The Italian suitors
As revealed by the Spanish outlet, representatives of Serie A giants Napoli were in attendance to watch Marin’s display against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu earlier this week.
The Italian side see the youngster to be one with great promise and hope to rope him into their dynamics for next season as they look to come back stronger after a sub-par season.
Napoli, however, have not contacted the defender’s entourage yet, the media outlet confirms. The coming weeks will thus be crucial in deciding the youngster’s future, especially with the end of the season just around the corner.
Focused on Madrid
Alaves have only one game remaining this season, following which the former Castilla star will be freed from his loan spell at the club.
Marin will thus return to Real Madrid next month and is currently focused only on succeeding at the Spanish capital. Having established himself as a regular for a first-division side, he hopes he can directly compete for minutes with the big names in defence.
No decision has been made over Marin’s future at the club, and everything will depend on Los Blancos’ transfer decisions in June. Nacho’s departure, David Alaba’s recovery and the potential arrival of Leny Yoro will of course act as direct factors
Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez is a one of the club’s best players. famous goalkeeper in recent times, had a brief but successful spell at the Bernabeu.
Now retired, Lopez, in a recent interview (h/t Diario AS), shared his thoughts on the current debate surrounding Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin before the champions. said López when asked about the goalkeeper debate.
Courtois or Lunin?
Lopez unequivocally praised Courtois. “For me, Courtois is the best player in the world,” he said. “Look at what he has done in the last few years. He is the best and there is no doubt about that. br>
The Spaniard even claimed that Courtois would eventually return to his old self after being on the bench for most of the season.
“When he was injured, he was has impressive performance and is the decisive player for the match. his team. It’s a luxury to have a goalkeeper like that. He said: “He will be back like before.”
Diego Lopez supports Courtois in the match against Lunin. to replace Courtois “Lunin had an excellent season”, he admitted.
Diego Lopez trusts Ancelotti to make the right decision
However, he emphasized the trust that he has in Carlo Ancelotti’s decision-making process “Ancelotti. has the most information about both of them and he will make the most appropriate decision for the benefit of the team,” he said.
Extending his praise for Ancelotti’s experience and decision-making skills, Lopez added, “Whoever doesn’t play will be hurt more, but he will understand that it is a decision has been carefully considered and considered, not erratic.
“Ancelotti is number one in this field. He is a wonderful person, very approachable. with the players, whom he cares for, understands and knows how to connect with. He handled it perfectly. pecking order.
A decade later, Lopez now recalls a similar theme playing out in Real Madrid’s hierarchy as they made the crucial decision between Courtois and Lunin.
