'I can be No. 1' — Lunin lays down Real Madrid challenge to Courtois after Champions League return

Andriy Lunin has boldly laid down his intention to displace Thibaut Courtois as Real Madrid's No. 1 goalkeeper.

Lunin returned to UEFA Champions League action for Madrid on Wednesday and was one of few players to emerge from Los Blancos' lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Lille with any credit.

Jonathan David dispatched a decisive penalty in first-half stoppage time but he was thwarted by an outstanding double save from Lunin before that.

The Ukraine international played a key role in Madrid's run to last season's final and was the hero in a quarterfinal shoot-out victory over Manchester City. However, Courtois returned from a serious knee injury to play in the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

WATCH: UEFA Champions League with a FREE trial of Paramount+ in USA | A new era of UEFA Champions League in Australia, only on Stan Sport

Courtois has been first choice as expected this season, although that did not stop Lunin from signing a long-term contract extension until June 2030 last month . An abductor injury for the Belgian gave his understudy the chance to remind onlookers of his qualities.

"My renewal is a gesture of confidence from the club towards me. From the first day I have said that this is the club of my dreams," Lunin told reporters after the match in Lille, via Marca .

"Obviously nobody is going to give you anything and everyone has seen what I am capable of doing. I can be No. 1 here and I will continue to fight for my position with the utmost respect for Courtois."

MORE: All the latest Champions League news | How does the 2024/25 Champions League work? | Full UCL match schedule

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti felt Lille deserved their famous triumph and criticised his own team's performance. Lunin felt the quick turnaround from last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in El Derbi played a part.

"Playing like this is difficult physically and mentally," he added. "Two days ago we had a very demanding match physically and emotionally."