Being dropped by Jose Mourinho can be a good thing, according to former Porto goalkeeper Vitor Baia.
Mourinho was heavily criticised for dropping no. 1 Iker Casillas last Saturday in Real Madrid’s 3-2 defeat to Malaga. Although the Portuguese would later describe it as purely a technical decision, it was taken as a further sign of the discord that exists between the tactician and certain members of his squad.
Baia can relate to Casillas, having been benched at the start of Mourinho’s second campaign in charge of Porto. The shot-stopper was irate at the time, but believes the experience helped him to go on and win honours including the UEFA Cup and the Champions League.
“I learned that with Mourinho everyone is treated equally, there is no difference between stars and others,” he is quoted as saying by AS.
“After this punishment I grew a lot, and after going through all these years I have no doubt what made me change. I worked as ever and the reward came. It was definitely a penalty that helped me grow.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho has jetted into Dubai to participate in a conference which will also feature Diego Maradona, UEFA President Michel Platini and Atletico Madrid forward Radamel Falcao. “Now is not the time to talk about my future,” he grinned when approached by reporters at the airport.
