Iker Casillas has reflected on his recent lack of playing time at Real Madrid and has encouraged fans to believe that a Champions League comeback is possible.
Madrid are reeling from Wednesday evening’s 4-1 semi-final first leg defeat to Borussia Dortmund, but their captain has sent out a message of hope.
“The feeling is not good, to be 4-1 down in a semi-final is painful. But after the game people are beginning to be encouraged, to believe and understand that we have a second leg ahead of us,” Casillas told reporters at a publicity event today.
“We have five days to appeal to the fans, to come to the Bernabeu and encourage us as they have in other times when we have gotten through previous rounds.
“As captain and a player of this team I ask people to go to the Bernabeu with their soul. The 11 that are on the pitch will do their all to try and get through the tie. We believe in the comeback.
“I understand the discomfort. Hopefully from the derby people will get behind us and I believe that Tuesday is the biggest game of the season.
“It is difficult for us to think about it before Tuesday as we have a game, against Atletico Madrid at the Calderon, it is the derby, and it is 14 years since they have beaten Real Madrid.
“But I do not believe that it will be an indicator for the Cup final. In our minds we will have much more the games on Tuesday.”
Casillas once more faced questions on his reputed bad relationship with Jose Mourinho and his lack of playing time since recovering from surgery on a fractured hand.
To address the situation, the 31-year-old switched to third person.
“Iker is good, training in a brilliant manner. Helping the team in any way possible, in this case in a different way to the past 14 years, but supporting the team.
“I still train like even before the injury. Whoever is in goal will be supported.
“The person in goal right now is not me, but I’m happy because when I received my medical clearance my hand was great and I have to now wait for my opportunity.
“My relationship with Mourinho? It is not cold, it is honest. We have a great professional relationship.
“Critics? People are free to say what they want, I have been at Madrid for 22 years, 14 in the first team. If someone does not remember then they can look back at my path.”
