Iker's pledge to Merengues fans

Iker Casillas reckons that Real need to win the Spanish SuperCup to take the pressure of the team before the new season begins in 10 days time.

The Merengues meet Copa del Rey holders Zaragoza on Sunday in the first leg of the competition with the tie being decided at the Bernabeu on August 22.

Casillas, who has been one of Real's star players during an irregular pre-season told Spanish daily, Marca on Thursday: "The solution is to win the SuperCup and everything will change. The fans are demanding that we start winning which is normal."

"Now we have to concentrate on working hard to calm the fans and critics, we'll do our talking on the field."

"The fans deserve to watch quality football and see us win trophies and that's precisely what they're asking for."

Real will be hoping to treat their fans with the first piece of silverware of the new season, the Merengues have lifted the SuperCup on five occasions since the competition began in 1982.