Spanish La Liga: Mourinho shrugs off Real jeers
Casillas dropped again as Ronaldo double rescues Madrid giants.
Ronaldo has now scored 16 goals in the La Liga this season. PHOTO: REUTERS
MADRID:
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho brushed off the boos of an angry Bernabeu crowd on Sunday as fans turned on the Portuguese coach for benching goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Casillas came off the bench for 10-man Real Madrid after just five minutes following Adan Garrido’s dismissal for conceding a penalty. Madrid were then rescued by a second-half double from Cristiano Ronaldo that helped them beat Real Sociedad 4-3 while leaders Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 win over Espanyol.
The win did not stop fans from showing their resent, who are reportedly unhappy at Mourinho’s approach. There are also rumours of a rift in the dressing room with heavyweights like Casillas and Sergio Ramos complaining about his aloof style.
These have been reinforced by his decision to omit club captain Casillas, a world and European champion with Spain, from the last two games which has been seen as an attempt to assert his authority.
“Perfect. Let them whistle me before the match and then support the team as they are doing,” said Mourinho. “I think the whistles are for leaving Casillas out and also because we are not achieving our aims in the championship.
“There are others who didn’t applaud and are not happy with his (Casillas’) performances. If I am not doing well it is normal that they whistle and it is something you have to live with. I don’t want to be a hero independently of my performances.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2013.
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho brushed off the boos of an angry Bernabeu crowd on Sunday as fans turned on the Portuguese coach for benching goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Casillas came off the bench for 10-man Real Madrid after just five minutes following Adan Garrido’s dismissal for conceding a penalty. Madrid were then rescued by a second-half double from Cristiano Ronaldo that helped them beat Real Sociedad 4-3 while leaders Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 win over Espanyol.
The win did not stop fans from showing their resent, who are reportedly unhappy at Mourinho’s approach. There are also rumours of a rift in the dressing room with heavyweights like Casillas and Sergio Ramos complaining about his aloof style.
These have been reinforced by his decision to omit club captain Casillas, a world and European champion with Spain, from the last two games which has been seen as an attempt to assert his authority.
“Perfect. Let them whistle me before the match and then support the team as they are doing,” said Mourinho. “I think the whistles are for leaving Casillas out and also because we are not achieving our aims in the championship.
“There are others who didn’t applaud and are not happy with his (Casillas’) performances. If I am not doing well it is normal that they whistle and it is something you have to live with. I don’t want to be a hero independently of my performances.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2013.