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Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has said he wants to make history with his Spain team mates and win back-to-back World Cups following the similar feat they achieved with the European Championships.

Spain became the first national side to win three major tournaments in a row, with their World Cup win in 2010 sandwiched between their successes at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. And now La Roja will head to Brazil looking to defend their title and continue their domination on the global stage.

Reacting to the group stage draw in which Spain were pitted against the Netherlands, the beaten finalists last time out, along with Chile and Australia, Casillas said the Spanish team know their job will be hard, but they are determined to win.

He told the official Real Madrid website: “We think that it will be difficult because, right now, for all of our teammates and the other teams the first objective is to qualify for the next round and then go as far as possible. All of the teams want to win and Spain are no exception.

“But after the last four years, we know that any rival that faces us will give 100% as they all want to beat us.  We’re going there to defend the title we won in South Africa and try to make everybody in our country proud of the Spanish team.”

At just 32, Casillas still has plenty of years ahead of him as a footballer, but admitted the thought had crossed his mind that the World Cup in Brazil may be his last.

“Until June, we’ll see what happens and when the coach gives his list of 23 players, if you’re one of them, you can start to enjoy it and start training with your teammates as if it were your last World Cup. In the case of goalkeepers, we last longer than other players, but sometimes your head is more important than your body. There’s still a long time to go and a lot can happen,” he stated.

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Real Madrid press report 9-12-13

Spanish sports daily As puts its focus today on yesterday’s Real Madrid players press conference to speak about the World Cup draw.

Angel di Maria, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, Marcelo and Luka Modric gave their points of view about the tournament and had a gesture with injured team-mate Sami Khedira, posing with his shirt.

The Madrid paper claims “Khedira could make his return in April,” although he wasn’t expected to come back from his knee injury until next summer.

Speaking about the World Cup, Casillas said “we’ll try to make our people feel proud of us.” Marcelo claimed “Spain is the best team, they’re above the rest.” While Luka Modric, whose national team will face Brazil in the first round, stated “I wouldn’t underestimate Croatia, we always perform well.”

The other main Madrid sports daily, Marca, highlights in its front page Cristiano Ronaldo words: “At the moment I’m focussed in winning everything with Real Madrid, I’ll think about the World Cup later.”

The Portuguese will face Khedira’s Germany in the group stage, where he will also meet again with his friend Mesut Ozil.

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Italian giants AC Milan have joined an ever growing list of admirers looking to secure the signing of Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao, it is believed.

According to Italian paper Corriere della Sera, Carlo Ancelotti’s former club could make a move for the left back as the seek to strengthen their defensive line. The 25-year-old has had limited first-team action at the Santiago Bernabeu this year, with Brazil left-back being preferred ahead of him.

The Portugal international has made just four La Liga appearances this term and has been linked with a move away from Los Blancos for some time. Last summer there were plenty of reports suggesting a switch back to his former club Benfica, while it was believed Chelsea were interested in signing him to provide competition for Ashley Cole.

And there was also a well documented loan switch to Manchester United on transfer deadline day that fell through at the 11th hour after Ancelotti could not find cover at left back. The collapse of the move to Old Trafford apparently left Coentrao in tears.

The defender made the move to the Spanish capital in 2011 in a 35 million euro deal. He has made a total of 67 appearances for the club, scoring one goal along the way.

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British newspaper Daily Star has gone mental claiming Real Madrid would be ready to offer Manchester City 71 million euros to sign Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero.

Los Blancos have been reported to pursue the signing of a forward either in the winter transfer market or next summer, since Karim Benzema’s performance is not convincing a section of the fans.

Luis Suarez and Radamel Falcao have been constantly linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but in the last few weeks speculation on Aguero’s transfer has considerably increased.

The Argentinian has been in excellent form of late, and he has been taken in great consideration at Real Madrid since his days at Atletico Madrid.

Although it would seem ridiculous to think Los Blancos would seriously consider investing such a high amount in a signing after spending almost 100 million euros in bringing Gareth Bale, if the offer arrived to Etihad Stadium Manuel Pellegrini would strongly resist to let his striker leave.

Nevertheless, Aguero has scored 18 goals in 19 games so far this term, and has become a crucial piece of the Citizen’s squad.

Aguero has been tempted to sign for Los Merengues in a number of occasions, even when he was playing for city rivals Atletico. However, negotiations never came to a good end.

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has denied Alvaro Morata will leave on loan in the next winter transfer market. However, he has affirmed “it could be at the end of the season that he is not happy and we can think about letting him go but we need him now.”

“We need him. It’s true that he has not played many games but we have every confidence in him,” Los Blancos boss told the press.

“He hasn’t asked me directly to go out on loan,” Ancelotti added. In fact, the striker has recently reiterated his Real commitment despite the lack of minutes of play.

“I am very happy here, and feel I have the confidence of the manager, of Zidane, all the coaching staff, and the club,” he said.

“The boss has put me on in many games which were difficult and I must return the confidence he has shown in me,” Morata added.

The talented 21-year-old has been recently linked to a January loan move to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, but both the player and the manager have rejected that transfer.

Spanish press had suggested the player was unhappy due to his current lack of first team football, but he has strongly denied it. “My agent looks after those type of things, but I am happy here and hope I can be here for a long time,” he concluded.

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Real Madrid press report 8-12-13

Madrid sports newspapers put their focus today on Real Madrid’s poor performance in the Copa del Rey first match against third division side Olimpic Xativa.

Los Blancos were unable to score in the first leg of the domestic cup, playing in an artificial turf pitch.

“Xativa saw Isco but didn’t see Real Madrid,” As titles. “Ancelotti affirms the match was not that bad and he’s satisfied,” the Madrid daily points out.

Marca’s main headline is “The whites were better,” in a reference to the home team’s kit colour. “Real Madrid was unable to score against a decent Xativa that hasn’t conceded a single goal in their last eight games,” they report.

The most sold Spanish newspaper also claims “Isco was the best” player of the match, but “Ancelotti’s men were unable to solve the artificial turf problem.”

They also highlight Olimpic player Peris words after the match stating “we’ll go to the Santiago Bernabeu to win.”

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has claimed that his club teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world, and that he will lead Real to glory at the end of the season.

Ronaldo has scored 17 goals in 14 La Liga appearances this season, and is many people’s choice for the Ballon D’Or for his performances this calendar year.

And Iker Casillas would know better than most just how good the Portuguese star is, having played with and against some of the best players of his generation.

Casillas spoke highly, saying “There’s one player who’s ahead of everyone else, who’s in amazing form and who deserves all the praise. That player is Cristiano Ronaldo.”

“He shows it game after game. It’s good for Madrid because our hope is that, thanks to him, in a few months’ time we’ll be achieving our goals for this year.”

Casillas also spoke about his side’s chances of winning the treble, adding “We need to keep going as we are right now and wait for the end of the season.”

“This is a young, ambitious team. Hopefully, we’ll win the European Cup – we’ve been waiting for it for 11 years – another league and, why not, the Cup.”

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Third division side Olimpic Xativa earned a surprising goalless draw at home against Real Madrid, keeping their dream of defeating the best club of the history of football in the Copa del Rey.

Despite Carlo Ancelotti lining-up all first team players, Los Blancos struggled to find their best game due to the artificial turf of Xativa’s stadium.

The passion of the home side also balanced the possession at the start, but Los Blancos slowly took control of the game. However, the home side had their defence and midfield lines tightly closed, and it was difficult for Los Merengues to reach the box.

Youngsters Jese Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata didn’t have a good day, and constantly clashed against Olimpic’s defence. In fact, Real only shot on target once in the first half.

Iker Casillas didn’t have to intervene either, but his team was showing a very poor image.

Consequently, Ancelotti decided to replace Alvaro Arbeloa for Marcelo, in an attempt to gain more offensive options.

His strategy seemed to work as Olimpic started to show certain fatigue. A cross from Angel di Maria left Isco in front of the goalkeeper, but the Andalucian missed his shot.

Karim Benzema came off the bench to add more goalscoring options for Madrid, but none of Real strikers were lucky tonight. Morata, Jese and Benzema had one chance each to win the game, but either the goalkeeper or their poor shots prevented Los Blancos from bringing any advantage home.

Modest Olimpic lived a historical night for them, as they keep their chances of a cup shock alive before heading to Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg.

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Olimpic Xativa vs Real Madrid match preview

Real Madrid kicks off their Copa del Rey season paying a visit to third division side Olimpic Xativa, in the fourth round of the competition.

Los Blancos will very likely have a peaceful start to the domestic cup, especially after Carlo Ancelotti has opted to bring all first squad players, rather than giving a chance to the second team youngsters.

Nevertheless, regular substitutes such as Casemiro, Morata, Jese and Nacho are expected to make it in the starting eleven against the modest Valencian side.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso haven’t travelled with their team-mates, and they will rest in this game, as Real face four matches in the next 12 days.

Raphael Varane, who will undergo an especial recovery treatment until January, and Fabio Coentrao, also sidelined until the start of 2014, have also stayed home.

Los Merengues come into the game following a five-match winning run and a spectacular state of shape, particularly in offensive aspects.

For Olimpic Xativa, it’s already a prize to play against Real Madrid as the ticket sales from this match will practically cover their season expenses.

However, coach Luis Garcia Tevenet has claimed they will fight for the victory and they won’t settle for a draw. Artificial turf will be the main threat for Los Blancos.

Nevertheless, even if Olimpic were to savage any point from this game, they would still have to visit the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg, which makes it almost impossible for them to reach the Copa’s next round.

Possible line-ups:

Olimpic Xativa: Franis; Ramon, Mendoza, Pepin, Peris; Samu, Denis, Belda, Rifaterra; Marena, Perales.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Nacho, Arbeloa; Casemiro, Illarramendi; Di Maria, Isco, Jese; Morata.

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In an unusual weekend for Spanish football schedules, Real Madrid will start their Copa del Rey season as they will face Olimpic Xativa, a third division team unknown to the general public. At Real Madrid News we are going to explore a little bit more the next rival of Los Blancos.

Olimpic was founded in 1928, following the first football team of the region’s –CD Xativa- disappearance. However, until 1932 the club didn’t become a member of the Valencian Football Federation, and that is why that is its’ official foundation year.

The club was named after a leather football brand of that time, which was called Olimpic. The club founders chose that name because the son of one official at Xativa military quarters’ Otumba regiment had one of those footballs.

The first shirt the team wore was yellow and black striped, although they would later change it for a green kit. Nowadays, they dress in white because the Spanish Football Federation gave them a shirt of that colour before the final of the Amateur Cup they lost 2-1 to Real Union Irun.

In their 80 years of history, Olimpic Xativa have never reached the second division of Spanish football. But that could change next season, because Real Madrid usually brings good luck to the third division teams they face in the Copa del Rey.

Since the 2007-08 season, all the clubs from that league that have faced Los Blancos in the Copa have ended up playing the promotion playoff: Alicante, Real Union Irun, Alcorcon, Real Murcia, Ponferradina and Alcoyano. Of all of them, only Alcoyano was unable to succeed in the playoffs and reach the second division.

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