Andriy Lunin joins Real Madrid teammates at last minute for Champions League final but Thibaut Courtois returns from injury to start
Andriy Lunin has reunited with his Real Madrid teammates for the Champions League final, but he still won't start.
Madrid face Borussia Dortmund for the competition's showcase at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, live on talkSPORT.
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Lunin has played in goal for all of their knockout stage games leading to the final but picked up the flu during the week and could not train or travel to London with his teammates.
He also seemingly ruled himself out of the clash in an Instagram post when he said: "I'm so sorry that I can't prepare the most important game of the season and the most important in my life together with the team...
"Thank you so much for all your messages, support and encouragement!!! Here's to the 15th."
Carlo Ancelotti confirmed in his press conference that Lunin would travel on Saturday and Thibaut Courtois would start in the final.
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This is despite Courtois being ruled out of Belgium's squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 finals later this month.
Just hours before kick-off Madrid announced that the Ukrainian goalkeeper had arrived and has been included in the matchday squad, but Courtois is still starting.
Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr
Substitutes: Lunin, Kepa, Eder Militao, Alaba, Modric, Joselu, Vazquez, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Fran Garcia, Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler
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They announced their line-up over two-and-a-half hours before kick-off and fans reacting on X said: "I'm surprised they didn't continue with Lunin."
"Feeling bad for Lunin," added a sympathetic second.
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A third said: "Lunin gave his all to bring Real Madrid to the finals only to be benched in the final match. Very harsh decision from Real Madrid."
"Nice line-up, Don Carlo. I don't think that's fair on Lunin," a fourth added.
Lunin has been Madrid's first-choice in goal for much of the season due to Courtois recovering from an ACL injury.
They signed Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea amid the blow but Lunin has been their go-to man.
The 25-year-old saved two penalties in their quarter-final shootout win against Manchester City and proved crucial in their narrow semi-final victory over Bayern Munich.
But Lunin will be watching from the bench against Dortmund as Courtois, who pulled off a heroic performance in Madrid's 2022 final win against Liverpool, gets the nod.
Madrid are chasing a record 15th title in the competition against their German opposition, who haven't won it for 27 years.