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Real Madrid: Casillas In Peril? According to reports appearing in today’s Spanish sporting press, Capello may well sent Iker Casillas to warm the bench and habitual stand-in Diego López to first eleven status for Wednesday’s Bernabéu Trophy match against Belgian outfit Anderlecht.
Casillas may be set for a rough ride under the Italian, who appears to prefer Diego López’s pre-season work in Austria, the US and Valdebebas. Capello was pleased with the reservist’s performance in the third/fourth place playoff for the Carranza trophy despite Madrid’s defeat.
Iker looks likely to return to the sort of questions that haunted his growth into a first-class keeper: the fact that he may be no dwarf but he’s a relative stump – 1.85m – compared to the sort of keeper that gets Fabio’s approval. Diego López, on the other hand, is 1.96m.
Diego López has also stood out for his sharp reflexes and ability to play the ball out with either foot if necessary. If reports are to be believed this could spell the end of the hegemony that Iker has enjoyed at the Bernabeu since standing in for Bobo IIlgner as a last-ditch choice and exploding.
Iker’s performance in the Ramón de Carranza semi-final on Friday – a 3-3 that ended up with Madrid going unceremoniously out on penalties – was apparently almost the last straw for Capello and was behind the fact that Diego López was given a chance – that he took advantage of – the next day against Villarreal.
There are worries that Iker’s mental state isn’t as healthy as usual as the player has been seen as withdrawn, uncommunicative and generally showing some symptoms of depression that Capello doesn’t want affecting or infecting his first eleven.
Some argue that Diego López still has a long way to go before he should be exposed to the potential burn-out danger that comes withstanding between the Merengue sticks. The goalie only has two league games under his belt, three Copa del Rey games and a sole Champions League experience. Then again, Iker turned into a solid number 1 with a similar lack of experience.
It should be remembered that Iker didn’t exactly have a dream season last year, many of the columnists from traditionally pro-Merengue Madrid papers ‘Marca’ and ‘As’ openly criticising the keeper for a series of unforced mistakes and a lack of the all-important attitude.
Capello has also come from a Juve that counted on a tall and imposing keeper in the shape of Gianluigi Buffon. If Capello’s past is looked into, almost all his first choice keepers have been taller than Casillas – and much more aggressive in aerial play and in correcting their defenses.
Capello used Illgner in the same way in his first Madrid stint, Rossi was his choice at AC Milan and Antoniolli in AS Roma. Capello likes Buffon for his ability to lead from behind and seal the goal with almost hermetic security. The Italian goalie reflects his birthplace – Carrara, source of some of the toughest and most valued marble in Italy.
Diego López could well be the next ‘Capello Keeper’, although it’ll be a rocky road for the young sticksman. There’s still the most outside of chances that Buffon could sign for his greatest admirer and former Coach: that could well spell the end of Casillas’ Madrid days. Until then Iker will really have to battle to prove that he’s not a blue burn-out. The clock is ticking, fairly or unfairly.
GOAL.COM |
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發表於 2006-8-22 10:55:27
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發表於 2006-8-22 18:17:11
