Iker Casillas has insisted he will help Diego Lopez as
much as he can despite the pair competing to be Real Madrid’s first-choice
goalkeeper.
Lopez has worn the gloves throughout the League campaign
and will do so again as Madrid go to Real Sociedad without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Casillas, who also gave his thoughts on Ronaldo’s absence
and the incident between Pepe and Sergio Busquets in an interview published by
Marca, will travel with the Madrid squad to San Sebastian but he is unlikely to
play, given Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to persist with Lopez as first choice
for the League.
But Casillas has been Madrid’s Champions League
goalkeeper, with the suggestion Casillas could return to the League XI should
Madrid reach the tournament’s final, in an attempt to keep him sharp for the showpiece
game.
Asked if he would welcome that possibility, Casillas
confirmed he would, but not for individual reasons.
“Honestly I would love you to ask me that question on
April 30 because it would mean we’re in the final,” Casillas said.
“Since the season started I’ve been playing Cup and
Champions League games and it’s true it’s different than recent years, but I
have done good things and it’s gone well.
“Hopefully it won’t take its toll because in March I
played against Schalke and no one else.
“Who should play is always a matter of opinion. The Coach
is the one who decides.
“I’m giving support to Diego for the League and he’s
doing the same for me in the Cup and the Champions League.
“I believe Diego deserves all the respect and support
once the competition starts until it finishes. But my intention is to compete.
“This season might be the best of my career. At the end
we will take stock of how it has been but I’m not wrong. It’s very good to get
to the Cup final and almost the semi-finals of the Champions League.
“My desire is to stay here and finish my contract but the
important thing is to finish the season, and hopefully enjoy it.”
Victor Valdes’ injury has opened up a place in Spain’s
World Cup squad and Casillas said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Lopez take
it. Nor does he feel Lopez would be out of his depth with La Roja.
“Of course [Lopez could play for the national team]. He
was called up a few years ago.
“It’s a decision Vicente del Bosque has to make since the
unfortunate injury to Victor. In the end the Coach will make the best decision
for the team.
“But Diego could have the confidence of the Coach.”
Culled from Football Espana
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