Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is even more ambitious than last season, says Iker Casillas

The club captain believes the Portuguese is keen to build on last season's Copa del Rey success as he looks to claim the big prizes at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2011-12

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has revealed that head coach Jose Mourinho is even more determined to win silverware in the 2011-12 campaign than he was last term.

The Santiago Bernabeu side triumphed in the Copa del Rey last season, but were eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals and had to settle for second spot in La Liga.

And Casillas insists that Mourinho is determined to do better in his second year in charge of Madrid.

"I still see Mourinho as the same person he was last year, but he is even more ambitious to win trophies now," Casillas was quoted as saying by AS.

"That's a good thing in my opinion. His ambition will brush off on the rest of the team. We want to improve on last year's performances.

"We won the Copa del Rey last term and want to retain that trophy and take it one step further in other competitions.

"The coach has said more than once that he's always more successful in his second season, and the players share his ambition."

Real Madrid currently sit third in the Primera Division table and top Group D of the Champions league. Their next game is the European match at home against Olympique Lyonnais on Tuesday. 

 

 

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Real Madrid's Iker Casillas: Carles Puyol's return to the Spain squad is a great joy

The veteran custodian is ecstatic that his compatriot is back in contention, while adding the team will not approach the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers carelessly

 The 33-year-old centre-back has recently resumed training after undergoing surgery on recurring  knee problem in June.

Puyol has been included in Spain's squad for the final two Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Scotland, almost one year after his last appearance for the team.

And Casillas believes Puyol's return is a major boost to the team, telling a press conference: "This is very important for the team. Puyol suffered a lot and in silence.

"It is a great joy for the veterans that Puyol is back and also a good news for the new guys like Jordi Alba."

Spain are already through to the Euro 2012 finals next summer, but Casillas stressed his side will go out for the win in the last two qualifiers.

"We will approach these games in a professional way," the keeper noted. "We are only thinking about beating the Czech Republic, and against Scotland we will have the same attitude."

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