Former Real Madrid player and coach Jorge Valdano has said Iker Casillas should get more game time in the run up to the Champions League final.
Los Blancos qualified for the showpiece event by thrashing Bayern Munich 4-0 at the Allianz Arena and will take on city rivals Atletico de Madrid in Lisbon on May 24. For now though, the focus is back on La Liga, as Real try to overhaul Atletico with four games remaining.
Carlo Ancelotti has used Diego Lopez in league fixtures this season, while club captain Casillas has been played in the Copa de Rey and Champions League games only – a policy started by ex-boss Jose Mourinho.
But with three weeks still until the final, Valdano says it would be a good idea to keep Casillas on his toes and match fit.
Speaking to El Larguero, he said: “Casillas not playing until the final is a problem. I would give him minutes. It’s a long time without playing.”
He also had high words of praise for Daniel Carvajal who has stepped up in the absence of Alvaro Arbeloa in the last two months. Valdano believes the form of the 21-year-old is good enough to take him to the World Cup.
“A national team shirt wouldn’t be too big for him and players don’t doubt themselves,” Valdano added. “People from the cantera rarely disappoint.”
