(PA) Thursday 26 April 2012
Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has called on his team-mates to forget their UEFA Champions League heartbreak and focus on clinching the La Liga title.
Casillas saved two penalties in the semi-final shoot-out against Bayern Munich last night but it was not enough to prevent the Germans from progressing 3-1 on spot-kicks after an absorbing tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.
It means Real's wait for Champions League glory goes on - they last won the competition in 2002 - but Casillas has urged Jose Mourinho's star-studded squad to bounce back and turn their seven-point lead over Barcelona into silverware.

"It has been a harsh blow and it's hard to get back on our feet after tonight, but we must carry on and focus on what remains of the season," said the Spain international. "Penalty shoot-outs are like the lottery and we lost due to bad luck. That's all there is to it."
Two early Cristiano Ronaldo goals seemed to have swung the tie firmly Real's way but a 27th-minute Arjen Robben penalty levelled the aggregate scoreline and gave Bayern renewed hope. Casillas felt the concession of that spot-kick, given for a clumsy challenge from Pepe on Mario Gomez, was key.
"We should have fought harder to keep the 2-0 score, but we can't ask more of the team than it did tonight," he added. "We played well and had chances to score. Bayern Munich are a good team and we wish to congratulate them and wish them luck."
Ramos has no regrets
Defender Sergio Ramos was one of a trio of Real players to miss in the shoot-out alongside Ronaldo and Kaka but he insisted he would put his hand up again next time.
"Penalty shootouts are unpredictable. Those who miss are those who shoot. I don't think any player can be reproached for anything," he said. "We must move on although it hurts because we were very near to the final. It's a real shame to be eliminated in a penalty shoot-out. It is something you never want.
"We must hold our heads up. I wasn't lucky enough to score my penalty, but I was confident and I would try it again tomorrow for the team. You feel great pressure, but I've always withstood it well."
Ramos echoed Casillas' call to finish the job in La Liga. He said: "We would have liked to reach the final, but this will not tarnish the great season the team has had and that we want to seal with the league title. I'm proud of the team and of the season we're having."
Casillas saved two penalties in the semi-final shoot-out against Bayern Munich last night but it was not enough to prevent the Germans from progressing 3-1 on spot-kicks after an absorbing tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.
It means Real's wait for Champions League glory goes on - they last won the competition in 2002 - but Casillas has urged Jose Mourinho's star-studded squad to bounce back and turn their seven-point lead over Barcelona into silverware.
We must carry on and focus on what remains of the season.
Iker Casillas, Real Madrid captain
"It has been a harsh blow and it's hard to get back on our feet after tonight, but we must carry on and focus on what remains of the season," said the Spain international. "Penalty shoot-outs are like the lottery and we lost due to bad luck. That's all there is to it."
Two early Cristiano Ronaldo goals seemed to have swung the tie firmly Real's way but a 27th-minute Arjen Robben penalty levelled the aggregate scoreline and gave Bayern renewed hope. Casillas felt the concession of that spot-kick, given for a clumsy challenge from Pepe on Mario Gomez, was key.
"We should have fought harder to keep the 2-0 score, but we can't ask more of the team than it did tonight," he added. "We played well and had chances to score. Bayern Munich are a good team and we wish to congratulate them and wish them luck."
Ramos has no regrets
Defender Sergio Ramos was one of a trio of Real players to miss in the shoot-out alongside Ronaldo and Kaka but he insisted he would put his hand up again next time.
"Penalty shootouts are unpredictable. Those who miss are those who shoot. I don't think any player can be reproached for anything," he said. "We must move on although it hurts because we were very near to the final. It's a real shame to be eliminated in a penalty shoot-out. It is something you never want.
"We must hold our heads up. I wasn't lucky enough to score my penalty, but I was confident and I would try it again tomorrow for the team. You feel great pressure, but I've always withstood it well."
Ramos echoed Casillas' call to finish the job in La Liga. He said: "We would have liked to reach the final, but this will not tarnish the great season the team has had and that we want to seal with the league title. I'm proud of the team and of the season we're having."
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