Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has expressed surprise that Spanish international teammate Iker Casillas was not selected by new manager Carlo Ancelotti for Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday.
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In a repeat of the final months of Jose Mourinho's reign at Madrid, Ancelotti dropped club captain Casillas to the bench and played Diego Lopez.
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However, Valdes, who was away on international duty with Casillas for the Confederations Cup in June and last week's friendly against Ecuador, believes Casillas is still the best 'keeper in the country.
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"I was surprised that he didn't start yesterday. In training with Spain he looked good to me and in the Confederations also," he told a press conference on Monday.
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"I don't tire of saying that he has made saves that I didn't think were possible. For me he is the best.
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"I am not the one to have an opinion because it is not my club and I am not in that dressing room.
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"I would like to see him there though because it has always been a personal challenge for me to face him for a number of years."
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In contrast to Madrid, who needed a late winner from new signing Isco to collect all three points, Barca started the campaign on fire with a 7-0 thrashing of Levante that included six first-half goals.
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The Catalans were also under new management as Gerardo Martino took charge for the first time in a competitive match and Valdes is very much in favour of his decisions to press high up the field and introduce man-marking when defending corners.
Everyone is highly shocked about that but it's still up to no one but the coach to decide who to include and who to exclude!