Public enemy no. 1

These are Iker Casillas's darkest hours at the Bernabéu. The whistles from large sections of the crowd during the derby left him looking like a sitting duck. What were once murmurings from a handful of ultras have grown into a clamour against the captain.

The goalkeeper is disconsolate. He faced the music after the match, holding up his hands and refusing to criticise the supporters. But his spirits are extremely low. He knows that he has been under the microscope since José Mourinho set the cat among the pigeons, but though not on top form, he doesn't feel he has been to blame for Real dropping points.

The rest of the squad concur that Iker wasn't at fault against Atlético. Carlo Ancelotti himself absolved the goalie of any responsibility for the opening goal in his post-match press conference. On the pitch, meanwhile, the TV cameras picked out Sergio Ramos and Cristiano having a frank exchange of views about how Tiago had been left unmarked to head home. None of the Real players pointed the finger at Casillas.

Iker's errors in the Champions League final and the World Cup damaged his confidence. The veteran was - and still is - hoping to restore his aura by getting more game time this season and, ideally, keeping clean sheets in a run of victories. It has not worked out that way so far.

Europe is back on the agenda on Tuesday and it would be a surprise if Ancelotti drafted in Keylor Navas. As a former player, the coach knows the score. Benching Iker would mean bowing to fan pressure when Carlo doesn't actually believe the skipper should carry the can for the team's failings.

These are Iker Casillas's darkest hours at the Bernabéu. The whistles from large sections of the crowd during the derby left him looking like a sitting duck. What were once murmurings from a handful of ultras have grown into a clamour against the captain.

The goalkeeper is disconsolate. He faced the music after the match, holding up his hands and refusing to criticise the supporters. But his spirits are extremely low. He knows that he has been under the microscope since José Mourinho set the cat among the pigeons, but though not on top form, he doesn't feel he has been to blame for Real dropping points.

The rest of the squad concur that Iker wasn't at fault against Atlético. Carlo Ancelotti himself absolved the goalie of any responsibility for the opening goal in his post-match press conference. On the pitch, meanwhile, the TV cameras picked out Sergio Ramos and Cristiano having a frank exchange of views about how Tiago had been left unmarked to head home. None of the Real players pointed the finger at Casillas.

Iker's errors in the Champions League final and the World Cup damaged his confidence. The veteran was - and still is - hoping to restore his aura by getting more game time this season and, ideally, keeping clean sheets in a run of victories. It has not worked out that way so far.

Europe is back on the agenda on Tuesday and it would be a surprise if Ancelotti drafted in Keylor Navas. As a former player, the coach knows the score. Benching Iker would mean bowing to fan pressure when Carlo doesn't actually believe the skipper should carry the can for the team's failings.