Real Madrid

The unexpected defeata gainst Getafe gave way toself-criticism by the Madrid squad. The captain, Iker Casillas recognised that the situation “is not good”, but the important thing is to pick themselves up for Wednesday and win the first title of the season against Barcelona. “This season is similar to last season where we had a couple of slip ups against Racing and Levante. We let this victory get away and the fact we’re five points from thetop makes it’s clear it’s not a good time. We tried as best we could but we agree with the manager, we haven’t played well. It’s a match to forget. We’ve got to think about the next one. The Supercup is around the corner and we havethe opportunity to pick ourselves up and forget these matches”.

 The Whites went ahead with the goal from Higuain but were unable to finish off the match. That’s where the problems started for Casillas. “In the first half we weren’t 100%, but we hadchances to finish off the game and make it 0-2. In the second half, an isolated move became a problem and they scored a goal. This is an issue that has happened before and we can’t let it happen again”, admitted the goalkeeper, who also pointed out the dead ballplays: “That we concede goals from dead balls is a reality. We can’t allow these slip ups. We’re coming to terms with what it is: two absurd moves, from dead balls and far from the goal and we haven’t been able to defend them. It’s an individual and group error because we all concede the goal”.

However, “there is a long road ahead” and the most important thing now is to avoid slipping up by making the same mistake again, as the goalkeeper explained. “Nobody was expecting this ten days ago. We must self-criticise, think about the things we aren’t doing well and not make thesame mistakes again”. Furthermore, the Whites have a great opportunity to amend the situation in just three days. The Supercup is coming to the Bernabeu: “It will be a different match because it’s at home. A victory by one goal will give us the title and the rivalry is always at a maximum. It’s a great opportunity to forget these matches in which we haven’t played well and win the first title of the season”.