Casillas urges real Madrid to show up

Iker Casillas has implored Real Madrid to get their act together and secure their first away win of the season against Villarreal on Saturday. "There can be no more excuses in the league," the Spain goalkeeper said.

Casillas claims that a win is especially important because Real need to build up points ahead of the clash with Barcelona the week after next.

"A defeat could put us in a very delicate situation as, after Villarreal, our next match is against Barcelona," he said.

"We obviously haven't taken off in La Liga yet. I think we can be up there in three or four matches time."

"Last season we were lucky enough to win quite a few matches 1-0 but we're not having that luck at the moment."

Real are aware of the threat posed by Villarreal. "Palermo's a very good player but there are other players as good as he is like Victor and Calleja."

He is unfazed about sharing goalkeeping responsibilities with Cesar. "It's great. I don't care about it at all because the only thing that I'm bothered about is the team winning."

Real currently lie in 15th spot, having won just two out of nine matches.

Vicente Del Bosque's team go into the encounter without the injured Savio, Flavio, Geremi, Aitor Karanka, Ivan Campo, Elvir Balic, Roberto Carlos and Guti while Fernando Hierro and Claude Makelele are suspended.

Youngsters Raul Bravo and Pavon will again be starters.