Casillas eager to prove Mourinho wrong

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas says he is determined to show Jose Mourinho was wrong to leave him on the bench in recent matches.

The 31-year old came off the bench against Real Sociedad on Sunday to replace his deputy, Antonio Adan, who had been sent off after just five minutes for a clumsy foul.

He subsequently made several key saves in the 4-0 win over Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, and wants to prove his worth.

“I’m not going through a bad spell, but I have to train more and better and show that I deserve to be in the team. I have to show Mourinho that he made a mistake,” Casillas told reporters.

“I don’t mind him saying that I was too comfortable in the team, because he is in charge of the team, and it’s what he believes.

“He didn’t give me an explanation when he dropped me, but I don’t think he has to say anything to me. It was a decision he took and that must be respected.”

Real Madrid find themselves well adrift of a rampant Barcelona in La Liga, and Casillas said it was all but impossible to win the league.

“It’s a team game, not for individuals. Last season it was very hard work to win the league, but well worth it,” he said.

“Certainly we have had some bad games, and we know it is practically impossible to win the league, but we must continue fighting as much as possible.”