Lay off Iker Casillas, Carlo Ancelotti begs Real Madrid fans
Coach pleads with supporters to be 'positive' after 5-1 thrashing of Basle
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti urged the club’s fans to “be positive” after captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas was again targeted with whistles in Tuesday’s 5-1 Champions League drubbing of FC Basle.
Casillas, who celebrated 15 years since his Real debut on Friday, was blamed by some supporters for not doing more to prevent Atletico Madrid’s opening goal in Saturday’s 2-1 La Liga defeat at the Bernabeu.
While one section of the crowd whistled the Spain stopper every time he touched the ball on Tuesday, others tried to drown the protests out with applause and the fans appear to be divided over whether Ancelotti should stick with Casillas or promote new signing Keylor Navas.
Casillas could do little to prevent Basle’s goal, a precise low shot by Derlis Gonzalez, but he did pull off a brilliant save from the lively Gonzalez later in the game that earned a rousing ovation.
Ancelotti has refused to be drawn into a public debate about the keeper’s position and told Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus he wanted an upbeat attitude from the fans.
“We have to be positive,” said the Italian, who led Real to a 10th European crown in his first season in charge in 2013-14.