This weekend, La Liga champions Real Madrid will play away to Osasuna. Iker Casillas will be back in his team’s starting XI as Adan is serving suspension.
Casillas could clinch his second clean sheet in a week after Real Madrid’s 4-0 triumph against Celta de Vigo in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the Spaniard declared:
“Sometimes a jolt like this can be good, it makes you feel alive. You must take something positive from everything. This is a chance to improve, to grit my teeth and show the coach he has been mistaken.”
Concerning his competition with Antonio Adan, he added:
“What I have to do is train more and be as driven as possible to make my return. My toughest battle is with myself and regaining the coach's confidence.”
Veteran shot-stopper Casillas was left frustrated in December 2012 as he could only watch from the bench while Adan allowed three goals in a game which ended 3-2 in favour of Malaga. In Los Blancos’ only league match of the year 2013 thus far, against Real Sociedad, Jose Mourinho again decided to go with Adan in the starting XI.
However, the latter received an early shower, allowing Iker Casillas to come off the bench and play. In that match, the World Cup and double European Championship winning skipper refused the armband when proposed by Cristiano Ronaldo. Casillas’ under-par performance in post saw Real Madrid struggle to claim a 4-3 victory in the end.
Iker Casillas is in line to make his 651st appearance for Los Blancos this Saturday away to Osasuna. The goalkeeper is third behind Raul and Manolo Sanchis in the chart of players with the most caps at Real Madrid.
“Sometimes a jolt like this can be good, it makes you feel alive. You must take something positive from everything. This is a chance to improve, to grit my teeth and show the coach he has been mistaken.”
Concerning his competition with Antonio Adan, he added:
“What I have to do is train more and be as driven as possible to make my return. My toughest battle is with myself and regaining the coach's confidence.”
Veteran shot-stopper Casillas was left frustrated in December 2012 as he could only watch from the bench while Adan allowed three goals in a game which ended 3-2 in favour of Malaga. In Los Blancos’ only league match of the year 2013 thus far, against Real Sociedad, Jose Mourinho again decided to go with Adan in the starting XI.
However, the latter received an early shower, allowing Iker Casillas to come off the bench and play. In that match, the World Cup and double European Championship winning skipper refused the armband when proposed by Cristiano Ronaldo. Casillas’ under-par performance in post saw Real Madrid struggle to claim a 4-3 victory in the end.
Iker Casillas is in line to make his 651st appearance for Los Blancos this Saturday away to Osasuna. The goalkeeper is third behind Raul and Manolo Sanchis in the chart of players with the most caps at Real Madrid.
