Casillas made season-high eight saves against Rayo

Iker Casillas returned to have a decisive role in a difficult win for Real Madrid. The European champions’ captain was a busy man in Vallecas and the best proof of his performance on Wednesday night is the fact that he had to make eight saves to keep a clean sheet. It was his highest tally of saves in one match this season; he has made a total of 108 saves in 38 matches, averaging 2.84 saves per match.

In other words, Casillas almost had to triple the number of saves he usually makes. Those eight saves beat his second-highest tally of saves in one match – he made six in the win against Málaga at La Rosaleda. His performance against Rayo prevented the match from becoming a minefield for Madrid. Especially with his save from Roberto Trashorras’ header in the 43^rd minute. The header looked bound for the back of the net and it would have sent Carlo Ancelotti’s men into the interval with the psychological blow of being a goal behind following a poor first-half display.

After the match, Casillas received praise from rival coach Paco Jémez, who suffered as a result of the goalkeeper’s performance. Jémez said: “I am happy for Casillas, he has shut many mouths with this match.”

This year Casillas has featured more than he did during the last campaign, when Ancelotti only selected him in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey (and he ended up winning both trophies). He made 48 saves in 24 matches, averaging exactly two stops per game.

He will be rested against Eibar as the derby looms

After his notable performances in Vallecas, Casillas will not start on Saturday against Eibar at the Bernabéu because Ancelotti revealed in his pre-match press conference before the trip to Rayo that Keylor Navas will face the Basque side. Casillas will be rested and he will return to the starting line-up for Tuesday’s derby at the Calderón in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

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