Former Real Madrid player, Coach and director Jorge Valdano has hit out Pepe for his criticism of Barcelona’s players after the Clasico.
After the 2-2 result, the Portuguese labelled Andres Iniesta and his Blaugrana teammates as ‘theatrical’, prompting a war of words to emerge this week with the Spanish international, that has also involved Tito Vilanova and Vicente del Bosque.
For Valdano, who left Real in mid-2011 after a fractious relationship with Coach Jose Mourinho, Pepe is in the wrong for the whole affair.
“The words of Pepe are disrespectful to a colleague or to many colleagues and that cannot look good,” he told El Larguero today.
“It detracts from the game. Instead of talking about the exceptional game we have to entertain ourselves with a minor controversy that does not benefit anyone. It seemed like a bad idea.”
On last Sunday’s game, Valdano felt that Real had missed the chance to close the gap on the League leaders.
“Madrid missed a good opportunity. They had the chance to hurt Barca and reduce both psychologically and in the table the gap.
“They played a very good game, but the fact is that they came into it with everything and Barca went into it depleted.”
Valdano also looked to close the issue surrounding Iker Casillas’ responsibility for the second goal conceded by the capital club in the Clasico.
“It is a shame to raise that issue. I do not know why the focus has been on Casillas. Whether or not anyone had any responsibility for any of the goals conceded on Sunday then it is [Victor] Valdes for the first goal, which went in at his near post.
“Under no circumstances can Casillas be held responsible for the ball beating him at that angle. Casillas has an impeccable track record and deserves a high benefit of the doubt. This is a little ridiculous.”
