Kepa has a problem with centers because he’s small. Nobody is perfect, not even me, even if I am handsome, entertained Ancelotti

Kepa Arrizabalaga replaced Thibaut Courtois in goal in the summer and has done very well so far. However, the Napoli game exposed his weakness, which is runs at centres. Carlo Ancelotti made a bit of fun of him at the press conference.

Before the first Real Madrid game, a very unpleasant news shook the Los Blancos cabin. Thibaut Courtois has injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and will miss the whole season.

So Real had to act quickly and bring in a replacement. That was Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Chelsea goalkeeper. The Basque native had a tough task ahead of him.

To replace the best goalkeeper in the world who pulled off some fantastic saves almost every game. After all, Real’s defence is not the most solid and it was Courtois who often kept the Merengues afloat.

In the opening duels so far, Kepa hasn’t disappointed, showing quality passing and great reflexes on the line. Only the Naples game exposed his weakness.

It’s the runs to the centres. Napoli played a corner, Kepa ran at it, but lost the battle with Osimhen, whose header went to the crossbar and Østigard tapped the ball into the net.

When Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was asked after the game about Kepa’s mistake before the first goal, the Italian replied with a wit of his own.

“He’s great on the line, he made two great saves. He has a bit of trouble in the air, but that’s normal because he’s not two metres tall. Nobody is perfect. I’m also very handsome, but I’m not perfect,” Ancelotti amused reporters at the press conference.

Source: Real Madrid, UEFA