Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid’s Goalkeeping Situation - A Statistical Look

Jose Mourinho has made headlines this week with some of the more interesting quotes of his career. Not only has he responded to quotes from Barcelona rival Andres Iniesta, he’s also gone as far as calling his own players out. After Portuguese defender Pepe hit back at Mourinho essentially calling his comments about Casillas disrespectful, Mourinho lashed back at the veteran defender.

Further to his comments directed towards Iniesta and Pepe, Mourinho elaborated further on the goalkeeping situation at Real Madrid.

“Casillas? I have no problem with him. I like Diego Lopez more. And I have that right. Just as if Iker likes Pellegrini more than me. While I’m Real Madrid Coach, Diego Lopez will always play.”

“Once and for all, let’s see if you can understand. I am a football Coach. I was hired to coach football and a football Coach has the power, among other things, to choose who plays.”

“For me, I like Diego Lopez as a goalkeeper more so than Iker Casillas. I am not harming anyone. I like him better.”

So why does Mourinho like Lopez more than Casillas? Lets take a look and both goalkeepers season’s thus far by the numbers.

Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas started the 2012-2013 season as Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho’s number one. In fact, the Spanish international never looked as if his job was in jeopardy and hasn’t really since he made his debut in 1999. This season started off like all the others - Casillas started and played the full ninety in 19 of Real Madrid’s first twenty La Liga matches. He registered 8 clean sheets and only conceded on average .89 goals per game. A look at the graphic shows just how Casillas conceded those 17 goals in his 19 appearances.

Diego Lopez

Jose Mourinho signed the 31 year old from Sevilla in the January transfer window after Iker Casillas suffered an injury to his hand. Lopez filled in for the injured Spanish and Madrid legend, but remained the number one even after Casillas was cleared to play after his injury. Since his move from Sevilla, Lopez has featured in 13 of Madrid’s La Liga matches. He’s averaged 1.08 goals against in those games and has only registered two clean sheets during his time in the capital. A look at the graphic shows just how Lopez has conceded the 14 goals in the 13 games he’s played.

The numbers above are quite even and if anything give Casillas the edge statistically. The Spanish legend averages less than a goal game against per match he’s played in compared to Lopez who averages just over a goal a game against. Mourinho has clearly stated who he likes more, however, which left Casillas in a very interesting spot in his career. The situation in Madrid won’t remain the same for too long, though, as it looks as if Mourinho is on his way out this summer.
Could Mourinho be making these statements simply because he doesn’t like being told what to do? His decision to drop Casillas clearly created a stir and now that the people have spoken, it looks as if the Portuguese manager is playing his stubborn games. Regardless of the situation now, its plain to see that either Casillas or Mourinho won’t be in Madrid at the start of next season - for the time being it looks more and more likely like Mourinho will be on his way out.

stats via Squawka