Casillas: We didn’t give Balotelli a chance

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas doesn’t believe Mario Balotelli deserves to be criticised for last night’s performance.

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is under fire once again after his efforts against Real Madrid in last night’s Champions League defeat, but Iker Casillas has defended him.

The struggling Italian striker was given the chance to start against Real, but he failed to deliver and controversially swapped shirts with Pepe at half time, playing no further part in a 3-0 defeat.

There are increasingly vocal calls for Liverpool to give up on Super Mario, who has only found the net once since his £16 million summer switch from AC Milan.

But Real Madrid ‘keeper Casillas refused to condemn Balotelli’s performance.

“Balotelli is a great player, but there are also opponents and it’s not easy playing against the Real Madrid defence,” Casillas said on Italian TV channel Mediaset.

“He really didn’t have any chances thanks to our defenders.

“It wasn’t easy against Liverpool, but we are all very happy with the result.”