IKER CASILLAS:
By respecting his opponent. Our intention is to defeat Atletico on Saturday, but we will try to do so in a correct and sportsman-like manner. I think many people, including many children, will set their eyes on us. That’s why we should play with respect and admiration for each other. Those children will be the stars of these games in the future.
Iker, do you think it would be fair for Atletico to win their first game at the Bernabeu in ten years?
IKER CASILLAS:
I think it’s strange that they haven’t won in all this time. I’ve had good results against them in the ten years I’ve been playing in the First Division. They’ve deserved to win some matches, but didn’t in the end. I hope our streak continues and that they don’t win at the Bernabeu.
LEO FRANCO:
This is just a streak. It won’t be the first time Atletico win at the Bernabeu.
Iker, do you feel more pressure when you face Atletico?
IKER CASILLAS:
I don’t think so. For years I’ve heard people say it’s about time they win at our stadium and I’m sure some day they will. But you shouldn’t be obsessed about winning and taking three points in a game like this; you have to strive to play well and realise where it is you are playing. We just want to continue to win more games in order to keep are options to win the league title.
LEO FRANCO:
I don’t feel pressure either. These games are different and they have different players in every season.
Leo, do you dream about Raul this week? Iker, do you dream about Aguero?
IKER CASILLAS:
You can’t just focus on one player. They have great men like Simao and Forlan that are proving to be decisive and capable of making trouble in no time.
LEO FRANCO:
I dream about my team winning the game. I think both sides have powerful forwards and a strong attack in general. We don’t really think about our opponent; we just think of ourselves and dream about winning the derby.
Pepe will miss the game. Is that an advantage for Atletico or a disadvantage for Real Madrid?
IKER CASILLAS:
Pepe is proving to be a very important player for us, but I think some other player on the squad can perform as well as he does if given the chance. I think the team is very strong in the centre back position and that men like Sergio Ramos or Gabi Heinze can cover that spot. I think we have enough players to make up for Pepe’s absence.
LEO FRANCO:
I think the same. Real Madrid have many reinforcements. Ramos and Henize could play as centre backs. It’s always good when a defender that has been a regular on the rival team misses the game, but I don’t think Real Madrid will feel his absence.
Whose morale is stronger for the derby?
LEO FRANCO:
Real Madrid’s is because they’ve won ten consecutive games and we’ve just won one.
IKER CASILLAS:
We’ve been rewarded for our efforts by getting closer to Barcelona. Our distance with them was still the same three weeks ago and we finally managed to reduce it to just four points. We want to catch up with them and Atletico will want another victory, especially if it’s against us.
Does the home advantage make Real Madrid favourites to win the clash?
IKER CASILLAS:
I think it is something to take into account, but I don’t really think there is a favourite. Atletico turned the score around against Barcelona in a very difficult game and they could do the same at the Bernabeu.
LEO FRANCO:
There are no favourites in derbies. Stats say they’ve won at their stadium against us for ten years, but as I said before, they are a different team from that of last year; they have new players and their situation is also different.
Would you like the game to see few or many goals?
LEO FRANCO:
I just wish Atletico win and that none of my team-mates get injured.
IKER CASILLAS:
I wouldn’t like the game to see three goals. We’d be happy with a 1-0 victory.
Just another Madridista
Iker Casillas vs. Leo Franco
Iker Casillas and Atletico’s Leo Franco presented two bottles as a symbol of fair play for the forthcoming derby. Both keepers believe neither team is a favourite to win the match.
Iker vs. Leo
How does an elite footballer manage to withstand the pressure?
IKER CASILLAS:
By respecting his opponent. Our intention is to defeat Atletico on Saturday, but we will try to do so in a correct and sportsman-like manner. I think many people, including many children, will set their eyes on us. That’s why we should play with respect and admiration for each other. Those children will be the stars of these games in the future.
Iker, do you think it would be fair for Atletico to win their first game at the Bernabeu in ten years?
IKER CASILLAS:
I think it’s strange that they haven’t won in all this time. I’ve had good results against them in the ten years I’ve been playing in the First Division. They’ve deserved to win some matches, but didn’t in the end. I hope our streak continues and that they don’t win at the Bernabeu.
LEO FRANCO:
This is just a streak. It won’t be the first time Atletico win at the Bernabeu.
Iker, do you feel more pressure when you face Atletico?
IKER CASILLAS:
I don’t think so. For years I’ve heard people say it’s about time they win at our stadium and I’m sure some day they will. But you shouldn’t be obsessed about winning and taking three points in a game like this; you have to strive to play well and realise where it is you are playing. We just want to continue to win more games in order to keep are options to win the league title.
LEO FRANCO:
I don’t feel pressure either. These games are different and they have different players in every season.
Leo, do you dream about Raul this week? Iker, do you dream about Aguero?
IKER CASILLAS:
You can’t just focus on one player. They have great men like Simao and Forlan that are proving to be decisive and capable of making trouble in no time.
LEO FRANCO:
I dream about my team winning the game. I think both sides have powerful forwards and a strong attack in general. We don’t really think about our opponent; we just think of ourselves and dream about winning the derby.
Pepe will miss the game. Is that an advantage for Atletico or a disadvantage for Real Madrid?
IKER CASILLAS:
Pepe is proving to be a very important player for us, but I think some other player on the squad can perform as well as he does if given the chance. I think the team is very strong in the centre back position and that men like Sergio Ramos or Gabi Heinze can cover that spot. I think we have enough players to make up for Pepe’s absence.
LEO FRANCO:
I think the same. Real Madrid have many reinforcements. Ramos and Henize could play as centre backs. It’s always good when a defender that has been a regular on the rival team misses the game, but I don’t think Real Madrid will feel his absence.
Whose morale is stronger for the derby?
LEO FRANCO:
Real Madrid’s is because they’ve won ten consecutive games and we’ve just won one.
IKER CASILLAS:
We’ve been rewarded for our efforts by getting closer to Barcelona. Our distance with them was still the same three weeks ago and we finally managed to reduce it to just four points. We want to catch up with them and Atletico will want another victory, especially if it’s against us.
Does the home advantage make Real Madrid favourites to win the clash?
IKER CASILLAS:
I think it is something to take into account, but I don’t really think there is a favourite. Atletico turned the score around against Barcelona in a very difficult game and they could do the same at the Bernabeu.
LEO FRANCO:
There are no favourites in derbies. Stats say they’ve won at their stadium against us for ten years, but as I said before, they are a different team from that of last year; they have new players and their situation is also different.
Would you like the game to see few or many goals?
LEO FRANCO:
I just wish Atletico win and that none of my team-mates get injured.
IKER CASILLAS:
I wouldn’t like the game to see three goals. We’d be happy with a 1-0 victory.
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March 4, 2009 | Categories: Comments | Tags: Atlético Madrid, Iker Casillas, Leonardo Noeren Franco | Leave A Comment »