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Real Madrid's Iker Casillas: Our marking on set-pieces let us down in Barcelona Copa del Rey loss
The Spain international believes his team's lack of discipline on the corner that led to Carles Puyol's equaliser is the reason behind Wednesday's Clasico loss
19 Jan 2012 07:17:00
By Luke Matthews
Iker Casillas - Real Madrid
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has blamed his side's lapses in concentration on set-pieces for their 2-1 defeat to rivals Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday evening.
The hosts led 1-0 at the break courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's 11th minute strike, yet the visitors were level four minutes into the second period when an unmarked Carles Puyol netted with a header, before Eric Abidal scored the winner later in the game.
"In the first half we achieved what we wanted to but we found it hard to defend on dead-ball situations. It's a shame because if we had marked up on the play [that led to Puyol's goal], we would have achieved more," Casillas told AS after the game.
The Spain No.1 was also quizzed about his team's approach to the game, but he shrugged off claims his side were too defensive.
"We have to play to our strengths. They have one way to play and so do we. Our aim is to get a result on the day, whether we're competing against Barcelona or another rival," he added.
Madrid now return to Liga action where they will face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, before travelling to Camp Nou in a week for the second leg against their Catalan rivals in the cup.
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The hosts led 1-0 at the break courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's 11th minute strike, yet the visitors were level four minutes into the second period when an unmarked Carles Puyol netted with a header, before Eric Abidal scored the winner later in the game.
"In the first half we achieved what we wanted to but we found it hard to defend on dead-ball situations. It's a shame because if we had marked up on the play [that led to Puyol's goal], we would have achieved more," Casillas told AS after the game.
The Spain No.1 was also quizzed about his team's approach to the game, but he shrugged off claims his side were too defensive.
"We have to play to our strengths. They have one way to play and so do we. Our aim is to get a result on the day, whether we're competing against Barcelona or another rival," he added.
Madrid now return to Liga action where they will face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, before travelling to Camp Nou in a week for the second leg against their Catalan rivals in the cup.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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