Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas: We cannot afford to lose Copa del Rey final to Barcelona

Posted Tuesday, April 19, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has stressed the importance of winning the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Wednesday evening.

The two teams confront each other for the second time in less than a week at the Mestalla. On Saturday, Madrid welcomed Barca at the Bernabeu and drew 1-1 to remain eight points behind the leaders, but will hope to win the Copa del Rey Cup for the first time since 1993.

“It is a very important trophy for Real Madrid and we cannot afford to not win it for 17 years,” explained Casillas to the club’s official website. “It will be even more important if we do win it. It is vital. I have not won it in the eleven years I have been here.

“We believe it is time to win many trophies. We know it won’t be easy. It will be a great match between the two best teams in Spain. Anything can happen, but we are excited about our chances. We hope we can win the Cup.”

The final at the Mestalla will be a special occasion in which the two biggest and fiercest rivals of Spanish football will go head to head. But Casillas believes that it will be a tight match in Valencia.

“We hope there are no problems on the pitch and that the only thing spoken about between players is football,” said the 29-year-old. “We want there to be fair play and that no one provokes his adversary. Neither Real Madrid nor its fans will cause any problems. We have proven to be gentlemen on the pitch and that we respect our rivals.

“We never act to have our opponent sent off. We also hope our fans respect others. Millions of people will be watching, so both fan bases need to be role models despite the rivalry.

“Many people will be at the match with their kids, and they want to want to see a pretty match between their idols. We hope that’s all it amounts to and that nothing unfortunate takes place.”

Casillas also highlighted the change coach Jose Mourinho has brought in the players’ mentality since being appointed the coach last summer.

“The coach is a winner and he has placed importance on the Cup from day one,” said the Spain international. “Mourinho believes every match is important and he has made sure that we focus only on this match.

"That is what he stuck in our heads and we have come out on top against everyone from Murcia to Levante to Atletico and Sevilla. We sense his desire to reach and win the final.”