Aitor Karanka has defended Jose Mourinho’s decision to omit Pepe from the Real Madrid squad this week, citing Raphael Varane’s performances.
The Portuguese defender was notably absent from the matchday squad announced for Wednesday evening’s game at home to Malaga, on from his criticisms of Mourinho for words expressed about Iker Casillas.
Where Madrid ran out comfortable 6-2 winners to record a 1,000th home League win, the attention post-match was on Pepe’s absence.
“The matches and performances that Varane is having are being seen by everyone,” Karanka told reporters after the game.
“Before you were all out for Pepe saying that he was not a Real Madrid player and now you are all defending him.
“I know the type of player that Pepe is and I still think the same of him.
“The match day squads and line-ups are made based on players’ performances on the field and always for the team to win.”
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty against the Anchovies’ nine men, but later scored what was his 200th career goal for Madrid.
“The Coach has already answered questions about Ronaldo. The kind of player he is and the club where he is, Real Madrid, are good for each other. He will keep getting better. Here is the ideal place and for Real Madrid it is great to have him.
“His celebration? When he scores a goal he always looks towards the bench. I was not surprised. If you'd named another player, I still wouldn’t have been surprised, but he always looks towards the bench.”
However, Gonzalo Higuain did not net and Karanka was asked of the Argentine’s recent form.
“This is what football is about. A year ago we came here after winning the League in Bilbao and the crowd sang ‘Pipa, stay!’.
“The coaching staff know the performances that Higuain has had and we have to keep our confidence in him continuing to score goals. He knows the confidence we have in him.”
With speculation around Mourinho’s future, Karanka was asked of his fate as assistant Coach.
“I will think about it when the day comes that I have to. If the coach stays here, I will continue with him and if he goes elsewhere, we’ll have to see. In the future I would like to coach on my own but right now these aren’t things that I am planning.
“If you were paying attention to those things you wouldn’t be able to live your life. Now I have to enjoy what I am doing and work hard.
“We have matches left, like the cup final and then I'll see what's best for me.”
