Fri Oct 25 11:10:55 UTC 2024: **Summary of News Article on Backup Goalkeepers for Clásico:**

– **Injuries:** Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) and Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona) are sidelined, elevating backup goalkeepers Iñaki Peña and Andriy Lunin to key roles for the upcoming Spanish league Clásico.

– **Lunin’s Background:**
– This will be Lunin’s third official match this season, after starting in a La Liga victory against Villarreal and a Champions League defeat against Lille.
– He has stepped in due to Courtois’s injuries, previously earning the starting spot last season over Kepa Arrizabalaga.

– **Goalkeeping Stats:**
– Lunin boasts an impressive goals-against average of 1.04 per 90 minutes, similar to that of Iker Casillas and better than Courtois’s (0.93).
– Peña’s past performance was less favorable, with a goals-against average of 1.65 per 90 minutes last season, among the worst in Barcelona’s history.

– **Peña’s Improvement:**
– Under new coach Hansi Flick, Peña’s performance has improved, conceding only six goals in seven matches this season (0.85 average), although he faces fewer shots compared to last season.

– **Concerns about Peña:**
– Despite improvements, Peña struggles with high balls and defensive positioning, prompting Barcelona management to consider bringing back retired goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.

– **Contractual Status:**
– Both goalkeepers are the same age, but Peña is contracted until 2026, while Lunin extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2030, indicating the club’s trust in him as a key long-term player.

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