Saturday 29th August 2009
Raul and Casillas both aiming high
Real Madrid duo Raul and Iker Casillas are setting their sights high once again ahead of the Primera Liga's new season.
Real get their latest domestic campaign underway on Saturday evening when they entertain Deportivo La Coruna at what will be, after a summer of mind boggling spending, a highly expectant Bernabeu.
Under the guidance of president Florentino Perez ,who is in charge for a second time after ruling the roost between 2000 and 2003, the Spanish giants have splashed the cash in almost unprecedented fashion recently, acquiring the services of both Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo for £56 million and £80 million. They didn't stop there.
In came Karim Benzema from Lyon for a mere £35 million and, once Liverpool had accepted a bid of £30 million, midfielder Xabi Alonso soon followed.
Perez's second galactico project - Real won two Spanish titles and the Champions League during his first - has left many stunned.
Raul, along with Casillas one of only two survivors from the first galactico adventure, is nevertheless excited by Real attempts to reign supreme in Spain and achieve European success.
"I'm excited, as all Madridistas are," the veteran striker revealed.
"There's a new project and new players, very important footballers who have improved the squad.
"We want the Bernabéu to enjoy our game once more and we're going to fight for every title."
Casillas is equally upbeat about Real's chance to contend on several fronts this camapign, believing that the current galactico-laden squad is far more balanced than the first.
"A balanced squad has been built, which is what many of us wanted," the Spain international goalkeeper said.
We wanted a team with which the coach wouldn't have trouble to come up with a solid starting line-up, and strong enough to fight for the three titles at stake in the best possible way.
"The club has made a great effort to sign excellent players and we must now do our best to win."
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