Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho made sure to highlight the exploits of something of an unsung hero in his XI, in the aftermath of victory in El Clásico.
This comes after Andriy Lunin was thrown into an altogether unenviable situation at the Spotify Camp Nou this evening.
Just hours out from Real Madrid making the trip to Catalunya to lock horns with arch rivals Barcelona, word was forthcoming that star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois would be unavailable owing to a bout of illness.
Backup Lunin, as a result, was faced with the daunting task of taking to the pitch for the first time all season in the most hostile atmosphere imaginable.
The Ukrainian, though, went on to rise to the occasion, with one particular 2nd-half save from a Gerard Martín header having proven decisive in Real Madrid's eventual victory.
After the name of his No. 2 was not put to José Mourinho during his post-match press conference, the Portuguese tactician therefore made it his business to single Lunin out for some well-earned praise:
"None of you have asked me about Lunin? I'm sure you would have if we had lost. The only thing I told Lunin was: 'You train to play, you don't train to stay on the bench.'
"He was unbelievable."
Conor Laird – GSFN
