Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has defended goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has been criticised for both club and country in recent weeks.
Speaking to Radio Cope’s ‘El Partido de los 12 programme’, the Italian described the Spain international as a footballer who makes very few mistakes.
“There is no debate over the goalkeeping position and I have a lot of trust in him. He’s had some very delicate moments but he’s strong and has great personality.
“We can count on one hand the errors he has made: one in the final in Lisbon and the one last week with Spain….I don’t think we should open a discussion about this,” claimed Ancelotti, who referred to the jeers Casillas has received from a section of Los Blancos’ supporters.
“To whistle for whistling’s sake is no good. Casillas plays because I choose who I think will give everything in order for Real Madrid to win. He’s the right player for the Madrid goal.”
Ancelotti went on to analyse the problems his team has had at set-pieces this season, which many think is down to Casillas.
“At corners the problem is not the goalkeeper. We’ve changed things. Two players in one zone, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Karim] Benzema, and five marking, but we are not a very tall team,” he explained.
Finally, he spoke of the changing of the guard in the Spain goal, where David De Gea was selected for the Luxembourg game at the weekend, and its parallel with the situation at Madrid.
“They are two different cases. It’s something that has nothing to do with Real Madrid.
“Sometimes I like to keep Keylor [Navas] motivated but at the moment Casillas is playing well. We’ve conceded a lot of goals but they haven’t been his fault.
“I’ve every confidence in him and Iker is going to continue playing,” he concluded.
