Jose Mourinho has explained his squad selection for his final Real Madrid game, stating that every first team star dropped was unfit.
The Portuguese omitted a number of notable names for his last game in charge, which Los Blancos won 4-2 at home to Osasuna on Saturday evening.
Reports suggested that Iker Casillas’ omission in particular was a decision based on a poor working relationship and Mourinho’s desire not to play the 32-year-old in Diego Lopez’ absence.
“I felt that the newspaper reports were deceitful and malicious. If I were to deny all the things that are not true, I would not have done anything else,” Punto Pelota quote Mourinho as saying.
“But this is the last time, as it is possibly the last time I speak whilst at Real Madrid and probably the last time as their Coach, the minimum I can do is say that the players who were not called up were not considered fit by the medical department, or deemed unfit themselves.
“Sami Khedira was sanctioned with a fifth yellow card. Marcelo is in Brazil with the national team, Varane and Diego Lopez have injuries, Raphael’s is serious. Sergio Ramos is still affected by muscle problems that he has suffered at this stage of the season. Kaka had a keen problem from last week and we hope it is nothing serious.
“Then, Pepe, Cristiano and Iker Casillas have had pains in the back, they have not trained all week and last week they have not done very well, they considered themselves unfit to play this game. So, those who were not called had these problems.
“I understand the objective of the situation [the reports against him]. This is the last time I talk with all the pride of this shirt and its badge.
“From here close a cycle for both Madrid and for me and I wish the best for Real Madrid.
“I think that when a player is dropped for misconduct, everything is known and the truth can be written.
“Indeed, I believe that those making the covers this week have been well aware that Casillas has not trained fully for the last two weeks and this information could be found…
“They do not look to report the truth, because the truth is known. The intent is clear to me.”
