James Rodriguez has reacted to the jeers directed at Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.
A section of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd blamed Casillas for both Los Che goals and he was subjected to whistles for over an hour of the game.
However, James defended the Spain international ahead of his side’s Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Juventus on Wednesday.
“When you are on the pitch you are totally focused and don’t hear the whistles,” the Colombian told gathered media.
“When one person is whistled then I believe we are all whistled. We should be united and supporting one another. Our fans should be our 12th man.
“Casillas is our captain. He has won a lot of trophies here and you have to respect him for that.”
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also lent his support to opposite number Casillas ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Casillas was again whistled by a section of the crowd during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, but Buffon feels it is unfair to single out a player who has won so much in his time with Los Blancos.
“I don’t want to give Iker any advice because it’s a personal situation,” he told a press conference.
“But I find the protest against him to be an ungrateful gesture. This guy has been wearing a Real Madrid shirt for 20 years.
“He’s certainly received a lot from this club but he’s also given them a great deal too. Certain icons do not deserve this kind of treatment.”
