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Iker Casillas: "This match is more special every year"

How do you see the match against Valencia?
It's become a Spanish classic over the last few years, especially since the Champions League final we won against them in Paris. These clashes are more special every year.

People increasingly dislike Real Madrid in Valencia.
I think that's an exaggeration. The past few seasons have been very hard because everybody has been talking about us for various different reasons.

What do Valencia have for being candidates to winning the League?
They are a strong team and have become a very important side in Spain that fights for the title with very important teams each season. They have won two League titles in the past six years.

Villa or Morientes?
They are very different but very lethal players. They form a perfect attacking front. They each have what the other lacks.

Villa won't be playing...
Better for us, because he is playing very well and scoring great goals. But, in the end, it's a shame because he's a nice guy. I'm friends with him because we are teammates in the national team and I know he won't like missing this particular match.

Morientes will play, though.
He knows me better than I know him as a player. I arrived at Madrid being much younger than him.

Do you think he will be dangerous against you?
I think he will. He is a striker with a very good finishing touch, very powerful and capable. He is an excellent all-around striker.


Is he the most dangerous player they will have on Sunday?
I don't know what to say to that. I think Valencia are best at playing down the wings through Joaquín and Silva. I think they are the best team in Europe when it comes to plays down the wings.

Silva has been allowed to play.
Good for him, but it's the same old story over again. Whenever teams appeal for a pardon before facing Real Madrid, they get one, and whenever we ask for one, we never do and we get criticised for it.

Do you think Sánchez Flores is a good coach for Valencia?
Yes, of course. I'm convinced he is. He is a young and passionate Spanish coach. He should be congratulated for making Valencia a true Spanish team that plays very well. The only problem they have is their bad luck with injuries.


Does his Real Madrid past make him different in any way?
His past gave him the winning character he now has, and he transmits that to his team.

Cañizares is going back to the national team!
Well, he's in good form and always teaches a lesson to those of us who are at a lower level. Despite his age, he's like a kid. He is in very good form.

What's the best possible result for you in Mestalla?
Winning 1-0.

That's what Capello would say!
It would mean not conceding any goals, winning the three points and being happy on the way home. What esle do you want? It's simply perfect.

You are a strong supporter of the youth system. What do you think of the Club going over to Argentina to sign young talents like Gago and Higuaín?
I don't like it. I grew up and was formed in the youth system and I think there are many extraordinary young players there that should get a chance. European teams are very bad at giving their youngsters a chance. If Real Madrid are supposed to be the best team in the world, then, by definition, they should have the best youth system in the world. I wish all our youngsters could have the break I had.


Do you want to finally become the keeper that's conceded the least goals in the League?
I would like to be that one year, but in order to be so we all should be practically flawless in defense, which is a strong challenge. I'm more concentrated in winning more important collective titles.

Capello says the squad are already behaving like a proper team. Do you agree?
Yes, I think he's right. We are becoming a very tight team. We are all very happy with our performance and with our unity. People think it only takes a couple of days to blend well, but it's not that easy. It took Barcelona an entire season, and look at what they have achieved since then. We have to learn from that, but we've only been at it for two months.

Capello doesn't like rival teams having many chances on goal, but the truth is that they do...
We shouldn't think about how many times teams have chances on our goal right now. We can only think that we must win a title this year. We have to win matches, be excited when playing and do our best every time.

Is it extra special to beat a team like Valencia?
Leagues are won by winning against teams like Osasuna, Recreativo or Levante, but it's true that you get an extra boost for beating a big team. We have a very tight calendar, so we'll have to demand even more of ourselves. We have to keep playing at this level until the Christmas holidays. We can't afford to lose any more points at home.

So, you also think you only did a couple of saves against Racing, like Capello said?
He sees the match better than any of us on the field. I have no problem wih him saying that. People are constantly looking for controversy. Capello analyses the match very carefully before he has an opinion, which I always stand by.


You are your toughest critic.
That's true, and I think I'm doing well right now. I feel comfortable and confident. I always have a slow start, but now I'm fine.

Has your training routine changed with the arrival of keeper coach Franco Tancredi?
Yes, of course it has. Each coach has his own methods. Franco likes to focus more on the actual goal and making saves on the ground. Each coach I have teaches me new things.

Do you feel safer at the back with two centre backs and two defending midfielders?
Diarra and Emerson strengthen the defense considerably. Despite the criticism they've had, I really feel a difference. They still have to get more used to playing in Spain. They tell us football here is much faster and that there is a lot more ball movement. Even Zidane was criticised when he arrived. They'll have to get used to it. I think they have done a great job so far. There can be no doubts about that.


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