Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has said in an interview that he can not understand the decision to leave Iker Casillas on the bench.
The World Cup winning goalkeeper has had to accept a bit part role for more than a year now after Diego Lopez arrived at the club in January 2013 and was installed as the number one by former boss Jose Mourinho.
Carlo Ancelotti has carried on the policy of picking Lopez in La Liga and Casillas in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, but speaking to La Graderia, Calderon said the decision is an odd one. He stated Lopez is an excellent goalie, but Casillas is the best in the world, and the decision to not play him must be coming from someone more powerful at the club other than Ancelotti – implying Florentino Perez is the man responsible.
“It is a matter that only the coach knows. He is doing very well and I think criticising him does not come to mind especially as Diego Lopez is a sensational goalie,” Calderon said.
He added: “I do not think any coach in the world you happen to leave the number one of any position on the bench unless he has instructions from someone who has more power than him.”
