Iker Casillas reflects on 2011: “We were not prepared to play four Clásicos in a month,”

In an interview with the New York Times, Iker Casillas reflected on many memories, including victories and defeats with the national team, highs and lows with Real Madrid, his heart condition, and more.

Of the heated Mourinho - Pep rivalry, and particularly the 2011 period where Real Madrid faced Barcelona four times in the span of 18 days over the course of three major competitions (La Liga, Champions League semi-finals, Copa del Rey final), Casillas said: “We were not prepared to play four Clásicos in a month,”

“There was a lot of tension, a lot of craziness,” Casillas said. “More politics than football.”

Casillas also reflected on one of his most jarring moments as a Real Madrid player — a 4 - 0 loss at Anfield where the goalkeeper did all he could, but was powerless, which left him in tears by the end of the game.

“Liverpool could have scored 12.” Casillas said.

“I was frustrated, sad. It meant it was seven years since Real had reached the final. You can lose a knockout game. We lost the first leg, 1-0. But to lose, 4-0? All of the Real fans in Liverpool, all of the fans around the world — I felt their frustration.”

Full interview can be found here.