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Arrived at the very end of transfer window on loan from PSG, Alphonse Areola did not come to Real Madrid to settle for being the lining of Thibaut Courtois. The French goalkeeper wants to shake up the hierarchy, and the mistrust of his Belgian teammate combined with disappointing results revives the race for the number one position.
On September 2, before the Blues face Albania (4-1) and Andorra (3-0) in Euro 2020 qualifiers, Didier Deschamps warned Alphonse Areola, who was preparing to commit at Real Madrid. " If he does not play at all, obviously, it can become problematic. We will see by the next rally in October what he will have done or not done. And I will make a decision, "said the coach.
Alphonse Areola can be reassured. He is part of the group that will play against Iceland (October 11) and against Turkey (October 14). Didier Deschamps can also be satisfied. Because yes, at Real Madrid, the goalkeeper has play time.
Areola did not come to stay in the shadows
This Saturday, October 5, the French will hold against Grenada during the 8th day of La Liga. It will be his third appearance in the Madrid cage. Not bad, for a player recruited to be above all, informally, an alternative to this position behind Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian, sick, can not take his place against the promoted.
The situation of Courtois has become very uncomfortable for some time. Already last season, there were criticisms in Spain about the performances of the former Chelsea player. In the summer of 2018, Real Madrid tied the services of the best goalkeeper of the last World Cup for nearly 40 million euros. The 1.99m giant joined the White House to become the number one goalkeeper.
But here it is: his arrival has dislodged Keylor Navas, who had been running since 2015 (and the departure of legend Iker Casillas) with some success. Despite the irritation of the Costa Rican, despite a season 2018-2019 failed and despite the support of the public who wanted Navas to have more of a chance, Courtois remained unbeaten. Result, in early September, Keylor Navas packed his suitcase PSG, while Alphonse Areola was the opposite way with this information given: the holder is Courtois. Hence the warning of Deschamps.
The situation did not frighten the player who has already played in Liga, in Villarreal in 2015-2016. Respectful but ambitious, Alphonse Areola quickly set the tone: " If there is a hierarchy well established, to me to answer present when it will give me. (...) To me to be good every day and show what I'm worth. I will do whatever it takes to be ready. If things show up to me, it's up to me to be there. "
" No one is indisputable "
The opportunity was quickly presented for the goalkeeper world champion. On September 25, Zinedine Zidane gave Alphonse Areola his first start in the Liga against Osasuna. It was a desire of the coach, who wanted to rotate part of his team. Good tactic, because Real won and Areola kept his clean sheet (2-0).
The second appearance of Areola, however, was widely commented. It was Tuesday 1st October against Club Brugge in the Champions League . At the break, the Merengues were led 0-2 by the Belgians, including a first goal gag cashed by Thibaut Courtois. For the last 45 minutes, Zidane has replaced Belgian with French. And his Real has not yielded again and snatched a draw (2-2).
Quickly, Real Madrid put the points on the i: it was not a replacement sanctioning the disappointing performance of Thibaut Courtois. No, the Belgian suffered from gastroenteritis and dehydration and was therefore diminished. This is why Alert Areola will still hold against Grenada. His teammate is not handed.
This has not stopped rumors from running in recent days. The Madrid institution has had to step up again to deny reports of an anxious Thibaut Courtois. Friday, Zinedine Zidane, annoyed, took a reporter who asked him why Courtois was indisputable. " No one is indisputable. Neither Courtois nor another, "replied the coach. An affirmation not to be taken lightly.
The next few weeks will show if the hierarchy is really questioning Real Madrid. The complicated start of the season does not plead in favor of the Belgian, who has kept his clean sheet only once in 8 games for 11 goals conceded. Alphonse Areola may have a chance to seize, especially if it remains airtight and if the results of the Real improve at the same time.