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Real Madrid's Iker Casillas defends Cristiano Ronaldo after Clasico loss
The keeper says any criticism following the home defeat should be directed towards the team and not just at one player.
Dec 10, 2011 8:53:00 PM
By Trevor Allen
Iker Casillas - Real Madrid
Iker Casillas believes Real Madrid was not playing its usual free-flowing style and was unlucky to lose 3-1 to Barcelona in the Clasico on Saturday.
With the support of the Bernabeu faithful, Madrid made the ideal start, as Karim Benzema capitalised on a Victor Valdes error to score in the opening seconds of the match.
But Los Blancos were pegged back through a goal from Alexis Sanchez on the half-hour mark, then a second half own goal from Marcelo put Barca ahead before Cesc Fabregas sealed the win for the defending Spanish champion.
"We rushed our game and did not play in an orderly fashion," Casillas told reporters after the match. "Barcelona's second goal conditioned the match and it may have affected us somewhat. [But] there are 30-something games left in the league and we cannot obsess about Barcelona.
"This defeat hurts because we've been having a good run and we lost here at the Bernabeu."
Casillas then defended Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed a gilt-edged chance with a header just before Barca scored its third goal.
"We all have to play at 120 percent, not just Cristiano. We're a team and criticism is directed to all of us," he said. "We were unlucky, but we shouldn't use excuses. It was easier for them to play when they were leading 3-1, and it was consequently harder for us, with our lines separated and the match being so open."
Casillas said he was already moving on from the defeat: "Our future lies first in the Copa del Rey [against Ponferradina on Tuesday] and then in a vital match against Sevilla."
The defeat means Madrid cedes top spot to Barcelona but both teams are leveled on 37 points, with Jose Mourinho's side having a game in hand.
With the support of the Bernabeu faithful, Madrid made the ideal start, as Karim Benzema capitalised on a Victor Valdes error to score in the opening seconds of the match.
But Los Blancos were pegged back through a goal from Alexis Sanchez on the half-hour mark, then a second half own goal from Marcelo put Barca ahead before Cesc Fabregas sealed the win for the defending Spanish champion.
"We rushed our game and did not play in an orderly fashion," Casillas told reporters after the match. "Barcelona's second goal conditioned the match and it may have affected us somewhat. [But] there are 30-something games left in the league and we cannot obsess about Barcelona.
"This defeat hurts because we've been having a good run and we lost here at the Bernabeu."
Casillas then defended Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed a gilt-edged chance with a header just before Barca scored its third goal.
"We all have to play at 120 percent, not just Cristiano. We're a team and criticism is directed to all of us," he said. "We were unlucky, but we shouldn't use excuses. It was easier for them to play when they were leading 3-1, and it was consequently harder for us, with our lines separated and the match being so open."
Casillas said he was already moving on from the defeat: "Our future lies first in the Copa del Rey [against Ponferradina on Tuesday] and then in a vital match against Sevilla."
The defeat means Madrid cedes top spot to Barcelona but both teams are leveled on 37 points, with Jose Mourinho's side having a game in hand.
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