Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has given a vote of confidence to goalkeeper Spain Iker Casillas while apparently sealing the fate of Diego Lopez, who now looks certain to leave the club.
Speaking at a press conference in the United States ahead of Saturday night's pre-season match against Manchester United, the Italian said that Casillas would be in goal when Real Madrid play the European Supercup against Sevilla Aug 12, reports Xinhua.
"Diego is working well as always. He is a good professional and there is nothing new in that," said Ancelotti, who nevertheless confirmed that "Iker is going to play the Supercup and Diego is going to carry on because he has the confidence of all of us."
Although Ancelotti insisted that he was "counting on him (Lopez) for the coming season," and said "he is a Real Madrid player. I have spoken to the club and there is no news about departures," the imminent signing of Costa Rica international, Keylor Navas from Levante in a deal that is expected to be finalised next week effectively means that Lopez will leave the club.
Although he was first choice for Ancelotti in the BBVA Primera Liga with Casillas playing in the Copa del Rey and Champions League, it is unlikely that Lopez will accept being effectively third choice at the club behind Casillas and Navas and it is thought he could now either move to the United States or sign for Chelsea.
The debate over whether Casillas or Lopez should be first choice continued for all of last season and has continued into pre-season, despite Casillas' poor performance in the final of the Champions League and in the World Cup, where he was disappointing for Spain.
The Spain international does count on a lot of allies in the press, while his 16 years in the Real Madrid first team is also a powerful factor in his favour against Lopez, who has always maintained a dignified silence on the issue.
