Malaga vs. Real Madrid [La Liga Day 17: 12/22/12 14:00 ET] - [R]

THAT is what the real problem is/will be with this move - especially if we lose. Some of it has already started.

The thing that rings hollow to me is that we have more pressing needs to fix and our alternative to Iker has never been seen as a threat to take his spot (in fact, the rumor has been that Mourinho wants to sign a keeper to challenge Iker this coming summer).

Does anyone know if Mou releases his team news to the players at the hotel or does he wait until just before has to prior to kick off?

I would just like imagine the players faces when he announced Iker will be benched

You know the press are going to have a field day with this one. And with the Xmas holidays coming up and the lull in football, this is all that's going to be talked about for the next two weeks.

Egg sackly!! They are already all over it on social media. The post match press conference will be very interesting (assuming of course Mourinho does it and not Karanka).

Mou is an idiot.

Pointless move. Iker will play every big game in the rest of this season and everyone knows it. Benching him now when the league title defence is in the bin is just stupid.

I am going to lay in bed and watch this so I don't freak an utter shit if we don't do well, and if it's boring I can go back to sleep.

I personally don't get it. I'm all for benching players that are underperforming, but you'd think he'd start with the more pressing issues in the midfield and at RB. We'll have to wait and see his explanation for it. Let's hope the boys go out and win today, and let's hope no one is wearing Iker's shirt under.

I sure as hell don't understand it. Unless Iker is one of the players allegedly at odds with Silvino Louro and that is causing locker room problems. That would surprise me.

Baffled.

Now that everyone is expecting/hoping for the worst, I now thoroughly expect us to thrash Malaga.

Would look something like this:

Well one thing is for sure, if the club captain and legend being benched doesn't wake up this team, nothing will.

Do you think that would be connected to this decision by Mourinho or would it be coincidental? Serious question because I don't understand what is going on.

Hope it will also give Arbeloa some speed, Xabi Alonso some legs and our forward players a sharper eye towards goal!!

Woah.. seriously..?

No. I think Mourinho is angry at him not on-pitch reasons. Maybe they aren't valid maybe they are.

Nice gesture by the club wearing "Animo Tito" prior to the game.

Woah. Neat save.

What off-pitch reasons for Mou being angry at Casillas would be valid? And so valid that benching him would be justification?

An amazing save on Cristiano's FK.. Wow.

Every game we seem to play against the newest GK of the year.

Right or wrong, that would be the only logic.

Damn Ronaldo warmed up Caballero's hands there

You do realize that most reasons professional athletes are benched usually have to do with off-the-pitch stuff and not things done during the match/game.. right?

di maria takes the FK????

So you're saying you don't know then? Otherwise why are you answering a question I didn't ask?

Too bad the same can't be done with coaches.