Jeering of Casillas and Benzema Does Not Aid Real Madrid's Hopes of Success

Real Madrid will hope their 5-1 win over Basel in the Champions League on Tuesday night helps them leave a tricky period in La Liga firmly behind them.

Beaten in San Sebastian by Real Sociedad, despite taking a 2-0 lead, and losers in the recent Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti's Galacticos haven't started the season in the manner many expected they might.

Putting five past Paulo Sousa's Swiss side, though, was more like what is expected from a side featuring the likes of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.

However, if the club are going to recover from their early slump—and there is still plenty of time to reestablish themselves in the league—then they could do with a little help from their fans.

As the teams were read out on Tuesday evening, jeers rang around the Bernabeu when Iker Casillas and Karim Benzema's names were announced, as reported by Spanish newspaper Sport, although, admittedly, there were some cheers mixed in with the boos for Casillas.

Marca also reported that Casillas was booed during the defeat to Atleti on Saturday:

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The Bernabeu faithful worship their idols, but are notoriously fickle and demanding, not cutting their stars any slack when they under-perform. Numerous world-class players have been booed by the Real Madrid fans over the years. Iker Casillas is just the latest in a long line that includes several illustrious names.

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These are two football players that earn millions of pounds, so they will be aware they have to deal with criticism, but it would help if the players could count on their fans’ support.

Ahead of their return to the Champions League tonight, Rik Sharma wrote in the Daily Mail about the fantastic relationship between the Athletic Bilbao players and their fans; all clubs, not just Madrid, should strive for a similar understanding.

Casillas may have looked nervous in the first few games of the season, but that is all it has been: The first few games of the season.

Likewise, Benzema may not be scoring two or three goals a game, but the French striker has never been renowned for hitting the heights and number of Ronaldo—in fact, his role often facilitates the Portuguese forward's drive for goals.

Carlo Ancelotti, speaking after the loss to Atletico, admitted it will take time for his squad to gel, per Marca.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Summer signings James Rodriguez, Keylor Navas and Toni Kroos joined up with the club late after their exertions at the World Cup, while Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso's futures were only decided in the final week of the season.

A midfield featuring Kroos and James is different to what the Italian was working with last season; it's also too different to what the Madrid players became familiar with as they won La Decima.

The shape is technically the same, but the parts which make it up are very different.

Thirty-five games are still to be played in the Primera Division and the Champions League has only just got underway—then there is the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup still to come.

If Madrid are still losing games come January, then perhaps jeering is more understandable. But after three league matches?

The Bernabeu needs to get behind Ancelotti and his new-look side. He's proven he's the perfect coach to lead the club forward; he'll get it right in the end.

Booing Casillas and Benzema is unnecessary and unhelpful.