Betis vs. Real Madrid

Goalkeepers: Casillas and Dudek

Defenders: Ramos, Cannavaro, Miguel Torres, Salgado, and Marcelo

Midfielders: Guti, Gago, Diarra, Robben, Balboa, and Drenthe

Forwards: Saviola, Raul, Van Nistelrooy, Higuain, and Soldado

2 - Betis: Ricardo; Damia, Juanito, Melli, Fernando Vega; Arzu, Rivera, Capi (Sobis, 59'), Mark Gonzalez; Edu (Caffa, 88') & Pavone (Juande, 73').

1 - Real Madrid: Casillas; Salgado, Ramos, Cannavaro, Marcelo; Gago, Guti, Drenthe (Van Nistelrooy, 57'), Robben; Baptista (Higuain, 68') & Raul (Balboa, 77').

REFEREE: Undiano Mallenco. Booked Gago (37'), Marcelo (39'), Arzu (53'), Baptista (62'), Robben (65'), Ramos (73'), Melli (90') & Rivera (90').

GOALS:

0-1 (6'): Robben.

1-1 (33'): Pavone.

2-1 (35'): Edu.

HIGHLIGHTS: Matchday 24 of La Liga. Venue: Manuel Ruíz de Lopera Stadium. Attendance: 50,000.

Tribute to Alfredo Di Stefano Offered by UEFA and Real Madrid

Thanks!!!!!!!

Casillas: I'm No Galactico

In an interview with UEFA.com, Iker Casillas reflected on the changes at the Bernabeu since the end of the Galactico era...

Real Madrid mainstay Iker Casillas feels that the team ethos has returned after the ill-fated Galactico era.

""Before, there was a lot of individual quality but very little collective quality," he began.

"Perhaps the group wasn't considered as important as it is now. Now, above all, we are a group. No individual accepts praise. We accept it as a team.

"I'm no Galáctico, I'm from Mostoles."

Reflecting on the Fabio Capello era of 2006-07, he stated that winning the Liga off the back of teamwork was a great feeling.

"It was better than winning the European Cup," he insisted.

"I thought there were many more people celebrating the league title with us last year than when we won the European Cup [in 2001/02].

"The fans are used to us winning trophies. But having gone four years without anything, it seemed they had almost forgotten how to celebrate."

Of the early days, he said, "Imagine it, you're at Real Madrid and every year you win a title. You begin to realise that, little by little, you are entering the club's history."

This year, though, in order to lift Europe's top trophy, the blancos must overcome Roma before looking ahead to the quarter-finals.

"I'm not going to think any further than that because when you do, you get a strong slap in the face," he said.

Rome

2 - ROMA: Doni; Panucci (Tonetto, 67’), Juan (Ferrari, 76’), Mexes, Cassetti; Giuly, De Rossi, Pizarro (Aquilani, 61’), Mancini; Perrotta & Totti.

1 - REAL MADRID: Casillas; Ramos, Heinze, Cannavaro, Torres; Guti, Gago, Diarra (Drenthe, 78’), Robben (Baptista, 78’); Raúl & Van Nistelrooy.

GOALS:

0-1, 7': Raúl.

1-1, 23': Pizarro.

2-1, 57': Mancini.

REFEREE: Herbert Fandel (GER). Booked Diarra (22’), De Rossi (41’), Torres (63’), Perrotta (67’), Ramos (68’, suspended for the next match) & Cassetti (91’).

HIGHLIGHTS: First leg of the Champions League Last 16. Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome.

Casillas press conference

"Raúl will get his reward"

Iker Casillas approved of the meeting between Raúl and Spain coach Luis Aragonés. He also highlighted the excellent form of former Madridista and current Getafe striker Esteban Granero.

What did you think of Raúl's and Luis Aragonés' joint press conference?

I wasn't surprised. I welcome anything that is done for the good of the Spanish national team. The coach decides who plays on the team. I think Raúl will get his reward if he continues playing this way and working as hard as he always does.

What do you think of the contractual provision that prevents a loaned out player like Getafe's Granero from facing Real Madrid?

There are many views on this issue, but I think it is the right thing to do. The normal thing for a loaned out player is to return to the Club at the end of the campaign, especially when you have a great season like Granero. Think about it this way: what if something's at stake at the end of the campaign and a loaned out player like Granero scores a goal and thwarts your plans... Just like Morientes and Munitis did in the past... I think it is normal for the Club to try to prevent this from happening.

If Barcelona win, you will be only two points in the lead at the start of your game...

That could happen. In fact, their match with Levante is meant to be relatively easy for them, but anything can happen. It is expected for Barcelona to win, but Levante's players want to do the best they can.

Do you still have a lot of problems with the niggles on your fingers?

I have some problems, but I won't say if they are few or many.

What's your analysis on the team's three consecutive defeats away from home?

We didn't earn good results in our last three away games, but things were slightly different against Roma. We should take note of this, just as the coach said. The season is very long and we have time to react thanks to our comfortable lead on the table. We want to defeat Getafe to regain our winning streak.

Casillas On Raúl, Loanees And Away Days Blues

Iker Casillas believes that Raúl will earn his place back in the Spain squad and has backed Real Madrid's decision to block loanee Estabán Granero from playing against them at the weekend.

The Spanish goalkeeper reflected on the meeting between Raúl and national team coach Luis Aragonés this week and said that he welcomes anything good that comes from it.

While the press conference between the pair has been ridiculed by some as a sham, Casillas only wants to see his teammate return to the Spanish set-up.

"I welcome anything that is done for the good of the Spanish national team," he explained. "The coach decides who plays on the team.

"I think Raúl will get his reward if he continues playing this way and working as hard as he always does."

Madrid take on neighbours Getafe on Sunday in the Bernabéu and have stopped Granero from playing against them as he is on loan with Michael Laudrup's side.

"There are many views on this issue, but I think it is the right thing to do," Casillas continued.

"The normal thing for a loaned out player is to return to the club at the end of the campaign, especially when you have a great season like Granero.

"Think about it this way: what if something's at stake at the end of the campaign and a loaned out player like Granero scores a goal and thwarts your plans.

"Just like (Fernando) Morientes and (Pedro) Munitis did in the past. I think it is normal for the club to try to prevent this from happening."

Barcelona play Levante in the game before Madrid kick off and the Blaugrana could reduce the gap at top of the table to just two points.

"That could happen," Casillas said. "In fact, their match with Levante is meant to be relatively easy for them, but anything can happen.

"It is expected that Barcelona will win, but Levante's players want to do the best they can."

After losing their last three away games, but Casillas believes that there were signs of improvement against Roma in midweek.

"We didn't earn good results in our last three away games, but things were slightly different against Roma. We should take note of this, just as the coach said," he added.

"The season is very long and we have time to react thanks to our comfortable lead on the table. We want to defeat Getafe to regain our winning streak."

Real Madrid vs. Getafe

Goalkeepers: Casillas & Dudek.

Defenders: Ramos, Cannavaro, Torres & Heinze.

Midfielders: Diarra, Gago, Robben, Guti, Drenthe, Balboa & Baptista.

Forwards: Raúl, Van Nistelrooy, Soldado & Higuaín.

0 - Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze, Torres (Soldado, 83'); Gago, Guti (Higuain, 75'), Baptista (Drenthe, 61'); Robben, Raul & Van Nistelrooy.

1 - Getafe: Abbondanzieri; Cortes (Mario, 9', Albin, 54'), Belenguer, "Cata" Diaz, Licht; Pablo Hernandez, Celestini, Casquero, Cotelo; Manu (Tena, 67') & Uche.

GOALS: 0-1, 64': Uche.

REFEREE: Daudén Ibanez. Booked Cannavaro (42'), Heinze (65'), Higuain (90'), Cellestini (20'), Casquero (21') and Belenguer (27').

HIGHLIGHTS: Matchday 25 of La Liga. Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Attendance: 73,000.