No qualms after being dropped: Casillas

Sergio Ramos expressed surprise at the omission of his Spain teammate but urged unity among players and staff.

MADRID: Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas attempted to calm the waters after coach Jose Mourinho dropped him – his first time in 10 years – for the match they lost 3-2 to Malaga at the weekend.

He said that the team was more important than any individual player. "The coach decides who plays," said Casillas. "You have to respect the coach's decision and I have to train a lot more to try to win back confidence."

Sergio Ramos, another of Real's club captains, expressed surprise at the omission of his Spain teammate but urged unity among players and staff. "It's not normal to see him benched but we have nothing to say about it, it's a decision for the coach," said Ramos. "Iker is the captain of the team, a leader in the dressing room and a key component for us. We are not going to get involved in any controversy.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2012.