Casillas : It was all my fault

Iker Casillas admits he was well below par as Louis van Gaal's side crushed the world champions 5-1 on Friday.

The Spain shot-stopper thinks he must shoulder much of the blame for Spain's humbling 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands.

"It's time to be quiet, to reflect and think about the next match against Chile as a final," the 33-year-old was quoted as saying by Marca.

"We apologise, and I am the first in line. Our fans must give out the criticism that comes to us and forget what happened soon.

"I have not been up to par and I accept that. We have not been fortunate, starting with me. Now only we think about the next game.

"I have to take the blame. All we could do is think about the next game when they scored the third goal and went further behind. I am mature enough to receive all criticism. We must sort ourselves out."

Casillas made a crucial mistake in the second half when Van Persie scored the 4th goal for Netherland. Anyway Del Bosque thinks that was not his fault.

Read More»

Casillas : I'll give Busquets a slap

Iker Casillas has promised to give Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets "a slap" after he appeared to stamp on Real Madrid defender Pepe.

The Spain international clashed with the Portguese during the Blaugrana's 4-3 Clasico win at the Bernabeu last month, but was quick to deny any wrongdoing.

Pepe responded by calling the 25-year-old a "liar" and Casillas has backed his team-mate, slamming his Spain colleague's conduct.

"The image speaks for itself. Pepe has the full backing of the whole side," he said at a promotional event.

"I'm not going to go into more detail. It was a heated moment. Busquets, from my point of view, behaved poorly. When I see Busquets I'll give him a slap."

Casillas has only played for Madrid in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League this season, with coach Carlo Ancelotti preferring Diego Lopez in La Liga, but the 32-year-old is tired of the debate.

"It is a subject that has got tiresome. Those who the boss thinks that should be playing, play. That's that. You have to carry on as you are.

"Diego Lopez deserves support and has started a competition and should finish it. I train and compete. It's good for me and the side.

"Diego Lopez is good enough for the national side: of course. Vicente has already shown he believes this. Now Vicente del Bosque must decide.

"Since Victor [Valdes] got injured he will have been closely following other keepers and will make the best decision."

Casillas also admitted that his side cannot afford to lose to Real Sociedad in San Sebastian this weekend but denied that Cristiano Ronaldo's absence means Ancelotti is prioritising other competitions.

"We cannot slip up. It is very important and we have to take the three points and then wait. Hopefully there'll be good results for us. With anything other than a win, it would make the league very difficult for us.

"I don't think the league is taking a backseat. The decision was made because [Ronaldo] can't play. Over the last five years he has been superb and always with the side. If he has to stop it's because he needs it.

"He must recover well and be there in the next games. Whoever replaces him will do their best."

Read More»

Wenger hunting for 2 Real Madrid stars

Arsenal want Casillas & Morata


Arsene Wenger is planning an ambitious Real Madrid double-swoop to land goalkeeper Iker Casillas and striker Alvaro Morata as he looks to sustain Arsenal's title push.

Read More»

Busquets: Casillas working harder than ever

Sergio Busquets has revealed Spain No.1 goalkeeper Iker Casillas is working harder than ever before in training in the hope of regaining his spot for both club and country.

Casillas, 32, has fallen out of favour this season at Real Madrid, making only a handful of appearances since Diego Lopez was made the club's first choice shot-stopper, and it has raised questions about his suitability to be Spain's No.1 with Victor Valdes, Pepe Reina and David de Gea waiting in the wings.

Busquets, who is currently on international duty with Casillas as they continue preparations for the World Cup in Brazil next year with a visit to Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday, says he has never seen the Madrid 'keeper work so hard.

“I see him as a little better. It is clear that perhaps he is hoping for a regular place in the team and currently he is not getting that,” Busquets told Marca.

“Now he is working harder in training. He has always worked hard, but now even more so.

“Sooner or later he will get what he wants and we will all be happy, both collectively and personally.”

Casillas has been capped for Spain 151 times and currently holds the record for most appearances, beating former Barcelona shot-stopper Andoni Zubizarreta's milestone back in November 2011.

Meanwhile, Busquets proceeded to hit back at reports questioning the Catalans' playing style following the appointment of Gerardo Martino in the summer, claiming the criticism of the team is unfair.

He added: “We [Barcelona] aren’t at the level we were at during the [former manager Pep] Guardiola era, I don’t think that form is repeatable. But the criticisms Barca get are disproportionate.”

Read More»

Real Madrid Champions League squad

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: 
Casillas
Fernandez
Lopez

Defenders:
Varane,
Pepe,
Ramos,
Coentrao,
Marcelo,
Carvajal,
Arbeloa,
Nacho,
Casado

Midfielders:
Khedira,
Bale,
Alonso,
Casemiro,
Modric,
Di Maria,
Isco,
Illarramendi,
Garcia

Attackers:
Ronaldo,
Benzema,
Rodriguez,
Morata

Read More»