Madrid: Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is aware his team can ill-afford any more slip-ups as the defending La Liga champions bid to close the 11-point gap to leaders Barcelona.
Jose Mourinho’s side go to Real Valladolid on Saturday — Barcelona visit Real Betis on Sunday — on the back of a 2-0 derby victory at home to Atletico last Saturday and a 4-1 Champions League mauling of Ajax on Tuesday, which had the added bonus of resting several key players.
And captain Casillas is only looking forward as his team battle to stay in the title race.
“We can’t afford the luxury of dropping any more points in the league. Valladolid will be a complicated game for us, they are playing good football and come on the back of a win in Sevilla,” he said.
Michael Essien is back in training for Madrid and could feature in Valladolid, but Fabio Coentrao, who picked up a muscle injury against Ajax, is doubtful.
