• Champions League

Casillas back in Real squad for Utd clash

ESPN staff
March 3, 2013
Iker Casillas is in the squad to face Manchester United © Getty Images
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Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas is back in the squad for Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Casillas, 31, has not played for Jose Mourinho's side since fracturing his left hand in their 5-0 win over Valencia in January and only returned to training on Thursday. After such a long absence it is not thought that he will be put straight back into first-team action with Diego Lopez continuing in goal.

While many have predicted United to win, Brazilian forward Kaka is confident Real will reach the quarter-finals.

"Every player wants to play a match like this,'' he told Real Madrid's official website. "We came off the first leg in the Bernabeu with the feeling that we could have won the game and that we can equalise the draw in England and win.

"Manchester is really strong but we're going to Old Trafford with confidence. It's a traditionally European squad that always goes far in the competitions they play in. They also have really sold individual players like (Wayne) Rooney and (Robin) Van Persie. The stadium is fantastic, just like the ambience and the fans.''

Real and United drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu in the first leg after Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Danny Welbeck's strike, which gives the English side an away goal - meaning Real have to score.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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