Casillas vows to regain Real goalkeeping spot

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has insisted he will not leave the Bernabeu despite being dropped following the Champions' League semi-final defeat to Bayern Munich.

The 19-year-old was criticised for letting Giovane Elber's volley fly past him at the near post in the first leg last month, a decisive moment from which the Spanish side never recovered.

Although Casillas kept his place for the return game in Munich, he was replaced by experienced understudy Cesar for the 2-2 Liga draw against Espanyol.

Casillas has enjoyed a stunning rise since bursting on to the scene in Real's Champions' League-winning season last term. Now the Spain international has promised to get back into Vicente del Bosque's starting XI.

"I will always be ambitious and I will always work with the same intensity. I am very pleased with my season so far," he said.

"Other people may have different opinions, but I am really happy with it. It's normal to have some bad moments. In my first season, I played with the first team just to break the ice, but this term I needed to consolidate my position and I think I have done that.

"The changes in the starting line-up depend on the coach and that's all. The three goalkeepers Madrid have are capable of doing their jobs well, so I don't want to criticise his decisions because I am not that kind of player."

Even if Cesar retains the goalkeeper's jersey for next week's crucial Liga game against Rayo Vallecano, Casillas insisted he would not leave the Bernabeu. "I may be young, but I am not stupid," he said.