Keylor’s big night at the Bernabéu
A final chapter?
Keylor’s contract runs until 2021 yet, despite his desire to stay on beyond that, until he retires, tonight could be a final chapter in his Madrid career and his final El Clásico in the Bernabéu trying to stop Messi and knock Barcelona out of the competition in the process. With a minimum of fuss, Keylor was decisive in the first-leg 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou and played like the regular starter in the side. On Wednesday night he will once again be a key figure and, to the glee of the Madrididistas, he has not lost a ‘sudden death’ game since 2015 when Atleti dumped Madrid out of the Copa. This El Clásico will be special and Keylor will need no extra motivation.
The missing piece
The Costa Rican keeper became a father again in February and is one game away from the final in the only competition he is yet to win with Madrid. Should Los Blancos get there, he would play his final game of the season in a final – moreover, an uncertain summer and future awaits. Keylor is determined to fight for his position in both LaLiga and the Champions League but, even if he does become a rock for Madrid on Wednesday, Solari will ask him to step aside to make way for Courtois in Saturday's Clásico clash.