体坛英语新闻：Casillas admits "envy" of FC Barcelona

MADRID, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas admitted on Friday that he was envious of the football played by his club's main rivals FC Barcelona.

Speaking on radio show El Larguero, Casillas said that he had been hugely impressed by Barcelona's 4-0 Champions League triumph at home to Bayern Munich.

    As well as progressing in Europe, Barcelona also leads Spain's Primera Liga by six points ahead of Real Madrid. 
 

Real Madrid's goalkeeper Iker Casillas celebrates a goal during their Spanish First Division soccer match against Atletico Madrid at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium March 7, 2009.

    Barcelona has also scored 85 goals in 29 games, compared to 67 scored by Madrid.

    "Barcelona's performances have been spectacular and you have to take your hat off to them."

    "I thought they were incredible against Bayern Munich and had all of the chances," said Casillas.

    "I feel envy when I see them play like that," he added.

    Madrid has cut Barcelona's lead at the top of the table to six points, from 12 points at the start of 2009, but Casillas admits that it will be tough to close the gap further.

    "If we want to win the league we need Barcelona to make a mistake, we have cut back six points, which is not bad, but we have to keep on challenging."

    "We have to match their numbers, which are good and they are playing good football," he said.