Football
ESPN staff 10y

Iker Casillas: Super Cup not about me

Iker Casillas has said Real Madrid have "an obligation to go for the trophy" when they take on Sevilla in the Super Cup at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.

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But the Real skipper said he did not feel the spotlight would be on him despite the uncomfortable time he has suffered for both club and country in recent months.

Casillas, who lost his place in the team for many of the club's La Liga matches and endured a touch time as Spain conceded seven goals as they crashed out in the World Cup, told AS.com the match was "not a matter of Iker Casillas."

He stressed: "I don't think there's anything at stake for me personally. This is an important game for Madrid after the prize of winning the Decima [10th European Cup against Atletico Madrid last season].

"It's a day to be enjoyed and to win, because Real Madrid has the obligation to go for the trophy. It is about Real Madrid, it is not a matter of Iker Casillas."

And the goalkeeper said he could cope with the scrutiny he had been under, adding: "You have to grin and bear it and face up to situations like this. I have always done so, and I am not going to hide now.

"I have not been at the level I was, when maybe people became spoiled. I have not been at my best in the last few games for Real Madrid and Spain, but I have been through worse moments in my career."

New signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos are both likely to start for Carlo Ancelotti's side, and Casillas said they would bring another dimension to Real's options.

"If you add them to a side that won the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, it can only be a good thing," he said. "It is very easy to fit in with us and to adapt to the team and the city."

His Sevilla counterpart Beto -- who starred as the club won the Europa League on penalties against Benfica -- said he believed his side could stop Real's stars in Wales.

He told AS.com that he and his teammates intended to "enjoy it to the full" and added: "Cristiano [Ronaldo] is the best player in the world. We respect him, we know him well. But we have our weapons collectively to stop not only Cristiano, but Madrid as well."

Coach Unai Emery was also upbeat, saying: "We are ready for whatever formation they play. They are elite performers, technically, physically and tactically.

"We can't leave spaces open because of their speed -- Cristiano, [Karim] Benzema and [Gareth] Bale. We also can't give James any room or let Modric or Kroos dictate play."

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