Pedro Leon’s absence from Real Madrid’s Champions League tie with Auxerre on Tuesday night aroused suspicion as to why he was excluded. Well according to reports in Spain, coach Jose Mourinho lost his tether with the young Spaniard after he totally disregarded team instructions during the 0-0 draw with Levante on Saturday night.
Prior to the game in France, Mourinho was bombarded with questions from the awaiting press to explain his exclusion. The ‘special one’ seemed baffled by all the fuss as he isn’t a footballing phenomenon such as a Diego Maradona or Zinedine Zidane.
“I am here to select players.” he stated.
“You ask me why Pedro Leon is not here, but he is not Zidane or Maradona, or Di Stefano either! It must stop! He must work and play when I decide.”
Spanish based publication Marca believes that Jose was incensed by Leon’s total apathy and passivity towards tactical instructions. The 23-year old came on as a second half substitute to help influence his team mates and give a cutting edge in the final third. His coach believes that his requests to Leon were totally ignored and this has rattled the European Cup winner.
Marca also report that Leon had been boasting to colleagues that he was in line for a start in France as well as visiting his former coach at Getafe Michel at his home a day before the game.
All this had seemingly culminated towards Mourinho’s decision.
As Madrid earned an invaluable victory thanks to Angel di Maria, Leon was left in the Spanish capital where he undertook training as normal.
It will be interesting to see the stance which is taken by the coach of The Whites ahead of their La Liga clash with Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday night.
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