LA LIGA: Real should look beyond Barca's form - Cassilas

Apr 15, 2014 6:13:00 PM
The Spaniard doesn’t believe the
Catalan club’s poor form will continue
into the Copa del Rey final on
today, while he has also refused
to dwell on the absence of Ronaldo
Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas does not believe
that Barcelona’s dip in form will affect their
performance in the Copa del Rey final on
Wednesday.
The Catalan club lost 1-0 to Granada in the
league on Saturday, while they were also
knocked out of the Champions League by
Atletico recently.
Although Barca have suffered some bad
results over the last few weeks, the
goalkeeper has called on his team-mates to
play their normal game as he is sure the
Catalan club will be at their best in the final.
"Personally I do not trust anything that we
have seen from Barca in the last week,
despite defeats in the Champions League
and the Primera Division," the goalkeeper
told AS. "The form of the two teams is
currently very different but everything can
change in a final.
"Winning is the collective idea, not just mine.
The team has had a great Copa del Rey run
and winning it would be the icing on the
cake.
"It will not be easy though. It will be an
exciting match, with great players and we
trust in ourselves and in our way of playing.
We believe that we will achieve a victory in
the final."
The goalkeeper also believes it is important
not to dwell on the absence of Cristiano
Ronaldo, whom Madrid confirmed on
Tuesday will miss the match.
"The loss of Cristiano is bad, but all the
players in the squad that may not be
available: Jese, Arbeloa, Marcelo, Cris, is
also a shame.
"However, it isn't worth thinking about those
who aren't playing, you have to think of those
who are.
"The team is ready. Perhaps we haven't had
good results against major rivals, but the
league is a regular thing, you are measuring
us against 19 teams. In the cup you have to
eliminate your opponents.
"The team is solid. If you come from good
results the team has confidence. And we are
in that line."
Casillas refused to comment extensively on
Barcelona star Lionel Messi as he would
rather focus on the qualities of his own
team-mates.
"I'm not going to worry about Messi. I guess
Messi’s performance will concern their team
more than ours as I am focused on my own
team-mates."