Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has revealed he loves playing against city rivals Atletico de Madrid as derby games bring out the best in both sides.
The shot stopper has an impeccable record against Los Rojiblancos have been on the winning side 20 times in 26 derbies he’s played in his career. The other six matches were drawn, meaning he has never actually lost a competitive match against Atletico since he made his Los Blancos debut.
Real eased into the Copa del Rey final with a straightforward 2-0 win at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday night. The clean sheet meant Carlo Ancelotti’s side set a new Copa record, becoming the first side to qualify for the final without conceding.
Casillas also extended his own club record for the longest time without conceding. At the final whistle, it stood at 862 minutes. “They are all great matches that we all like to play as players, especially those of us born in Madrid. I’m happy because things have always gone well. Things have to stay on the field and then people have to move on. It is a derby and the players from each team always want the best for their club,” he told journalists after the match.
The World Cup winner also spoke of his happiness at helping the team reach their 39th Copa del Rey final. “The important thing right now is that we have reached the final. Real Sociedad will be really keen to make it to the final, after a long time without playing in one, and Barcelona will as well. But what I am bothered about is that we have done our job and now we have to think about the league and the Champions League.”
