Casillas denies squad rift

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has stressed that there are no problems between the Spanish and Portuguese players at the club.

Former club president Ramon Calderon recently stated that the Spanish players at Madrid have had enough of the privileges the Portuguese are allegedly given by head coach Jose Mourinho, while a report in Marca last weekend claimed that Casillas had a training ground dispute with Mourinho.

Nevertheless, Casillas has denied that there are any problems within the squad.

“I don’t have a bad relationship with any team-mate. We coexist in training sessions, pre-match gatherings and games, like all other squads,” Casillas told the club’s official website.

“I may get angry with someone one particular day, or someone may get angry at me, but it’s not something to dwell on.”

“There are no problems between the Spaniards and Portuguese on the squad. I find it quite absurd also because there happens to be Brazilian players amongst the so-called Portuguese group.”

Real Madrid recorded a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday to restore their five-point lead over rivals Barcelona in the league table.