Real Madrid were the most shot-on team in La Liga, their net being peppered more times than any other team. That being said, they conceded the fewest amount of goals in the league for the season as well.
Combine those two statistics with the fact that Casillas had the most saves on record and the fewest allowed goals of any other regular keeper in the league, and you’ve got a goalie who is either using two giant tennis rackets while nobody’s looking, or is truly an undeniable championship-winning element of the team. And then there are the penalties.
As a Madrid fan my entire life, I’ve watched Iker stop countless penalties and make spectacular saves that defy description. So when I saw the Spain game go to penalties, I have to say, I was less worried for the Spaniards than I would be if any other keeper was sitting between the sticks.
Yes, Buffon is an excellent number one. But if you watch a player week in and week out for years, place trust in him, watch him save your beloved team’s neck time and time again, day in and day out, it’s a faith that you have that cannot be broken.
There’s a reason that they call him “San Iker” (Saint Iker).
So when I saw him deny Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale, I have to say, I wasn’t surprised. It is indeed like having faith in a saint, and yesterday it all came together.
Spain beat Italy for many reasons, but the biggest one is the goalie who often gets overlooked when the Buffon’s and the Cech’s get thrown into the debate of who would wear the number one shirt on your fantasy team.
And after Casillas came out on top in the shootout, and Cech’s poor season, give me San Iker any day.
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