May 9, 200718 yr Casillas to AS"Our victory over Sevilla isn't worth anything if we lose to Espanyol"With Sunday's victory over Sevilla out of the way, Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas was in Fuenlabrada -a town in the province of Madrid- to inaugurate two artificial turf pitches, where he talked about the League, his team, and what's left of the season.What's your outlook after the Sevilla match? The team played very well and won an important game.I have a very positive outlook. We gained some ground in the hunt for the League title. We also took another step forward in qualifying for next year's Champions League. We've left Zaragoza pretty far behind, which was also important.Are you more convinced you can finish as champions this year after such an important victory?Now we have to do everything we can to secure the second spot and battle it out for the top of the table. But we have to take each game as it comes, just as we have been.The Bernabéu really responded against Sevilla and has played an important role down the home stretch of the season.We know we have a huge responsibility because we've filled our fans with hope and excitement. Now we the players have it after not even thinking about our chances a short time ago.The team is in great form. Will fitness be key in the last five games?We are sure we can continue fighting and suffering as we have been, so lets see if we can take the three points in play each weekend in order to put pressure on Barcelona.Do you think Barcelona feel more pressure after Real Madrid defeated Sevilla? Do yout think they may be a little afraid?No. I think Barcelona have gone several seasons putting up with the pressure. It's not the first time we're right behind them. Two seasons ago we pulled within one point, four points, one, four... All we can think about is winning the rest of our games.And next up are Espanyol at the Bernabéu. Your thoughts?Our victory over Sevilla isn't worth anything if we lose to Espanyol.Some Atletico Madrid fans would rather lose to Barcelona than do Real Madrid a favour, even with a spot in next year's UEFA at stake. How does that make you feel?I think Atletico fans aren't dumb and they know they are playing for a spot in European competition next year. I can assure you they would rather see their Atleti in the UEFA rather than Real Madrid winning the League or not.
May 9, 200718 yr Casillas: Atlético Will Not Lose To Stop Us Iker Casillas believes Atlético de Madrid could do Real Madrid a favour when they play Barcelona as they will want to win to ensure themselves of a place in the UEFA Cup.The Spanish international goalkeeper is confident that los Colchoneros will want to fulfill their own ambitions ahead of helping to deny el Real the chance of some silverware.Barça travel to Vicente Calderón in two weeks and the game has already been touted as their hardest remaining fixture of a very tight title race."I think Atletico fans aren't dumb and they know they are playing for a spot in European competition next year," Casillas explained."I can assure you they would rather see their team in the UEFA rather than stopping Real Madrid from winning the league."After lifting spirits even higher with a crucial win against Sevilla, Casillas warned that they must not take this weekend's game against Espanyol for granted.Despite the visitors to the Bernabéu set to rest several players ahead of their appearance in the UEFA Cup Final, the Madrid custodian wants his team to remain focussed."Our victory over Sevilla isn't worth anything if we lose to Espanyol," he said.The Madrid-biased media may be attempting to unnerve Barça's players, but Casillas reckons that the Blaugrana have the experience to brush all that aside.Los Merengues' sporting director, Predrag Mijaotvic, suggested that Frank Rijkaard's side have never been in this siutation, but the keeper disagrees."I think Barcelona have gone several seasons putting up with the pressure," he stated."It's not the first time we're right behind them. Two seasons ago we pulled within one point, four points, one, four... All we can think about is winning the rest of our games."Rather than focus solely on catching Barcelona, Casillas wants to take one thing at a time and ensure that Madrid secure a Champions League berth before worrying about the championship."Now we have to do everything we can to secure the second spot and battle it out for the top of the table," he said. "But we have to take each game as it comes, just as we have been."
May 11, 200718 yr Real Madrid vs. EspanyolKeepers: Casillas, Diego Lopez.Defenders: Ramos, Cicinho, Cannavaro, Helguera, Marcelo, Michel Salgado, Mejia, Pavon, Roberto Carlos, TorresMidfielders: Guti, Emerson, Diarra, Raul, Reyes.Strikers: Higuain, Van Nistelrooy.
May 13, 200718 yr 4. Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Cicinho (Helguera, min.46), Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Emerson, Diarra; Higuain, Guti (Reyes, min.46); Raul (Miguel Torres, min. 90) and Van Nistelrooy.3. RCD Espanyol: Kameni; Velasco (Jarque, min. 75), Lacruz, Marc Torrejón, Chica; Angel, Costa; Rufete (Coro, min. 67), Jonatas, Moha; and Pandiani (Luis Garcia, min. 60).Goals:0-1. Min. 15. Pandiani finishes off a counterattack led by Rufete and Jonatas.0-2. Min. 26. Pandiani, again, asisted by Rufete.1-2. Min. 29. The Pichichi Van Nistelrooy strikes from inside the box.1-3. Min. 34. Pandiani caps off his hat-trick.2-3. Min. 48. Raul nutmegs Kameni.3-3. Min. 57. Reyes nets the equaliser.4-3. Min. 89. Higuain adds the finishing touch with his first goal at the Santiago Bernabue.Referee: Undiano Mallenco. Booked Moha (52'), Chica (54'), Kameni (77'), Jonatas (81'), and Sergio Ramos (61').Notes: Matchday 34 of the Spanish Primera Liga. Attendence: 78,000. Before the match, Real Madrid President of Honour Alfredo Di Stefano presented Cannavaro with last year's Balon d'Or and the FIFA World Player trophy.
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