Bernabéu Stadium's presidential office.
During away matches, unless Real Madrid were facing a powerhouse like Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, or playing an important Champions League fixture, Florentino generally watched the game at Bernabéu Stadium.
Real Madrid's chief administrator Manuel Redondo and the president's special advisor Zidane sat beside him, while Valdano, who oversaw footballing affairs, had traveled with the team.
When the match had just begun, the three men saw referee Lahoz show Casillas a red card, sending off Real Madrid's captain and starting goalkeeper. Their expressions immediately darkened, and they all sensed that something was off about the match.
Playing ten against eleven for the entire game would be an enormous challenge and pressure for Real Madrid.
"As a goalkeeper, Casillas's lack of height is a very obvious weakness. His area of control is relatively narrow, so he needs a more agile body, faster reactions, and greater concentration throughout the match. Only then can he make up for the gap between his height and that of other top goalkeepers."
Zidane was clearly very familiar with his former teammate. As one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Casillas still had a physical weakness that was difficult to make up for.
An agile body, quick reactions, and focused commitment could indeed help Casillas compensate for his shortcomings. But if even one of those aspects fell short, serious problems would arise.
For example, if his reactions slowed, or if he became distracted, or if he grew older and his physical condition declined, leaving him less agile...
In that foul just now, Casillas had failed to judge the timing of his rush properly. That was what had given Callejón an opportunity.
Of course, nobody was perfect. No one could demand that Casillas perform flawlessly every time.
Still, Casillas certainly bore an undeniable