The Spain international goalkeeper will equal Manuel Sanchis' achievement of 437 full matches for Los Blancos if he plays all 90 minutes of this weekend's La Liga clash against Levante Iker Casillas set to equal Manuel Sanchis' record of 437 full La Liga matches for Real Madrid The shot stopper's name will be added to Los Blancos' record books if he features for the full 90 minutes in the upcoming league game against Levante at the weekend Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is set to equal club legend Manuel Sanchis as the player with the most completed La Liga appearances for the Spanish giants, AS reports. Sanchis featured in 437 league matches for the full 90 minutes during his spell at the club from 1983 until 2001. Casillas has up to date taken part in 441 La Liga matches for Real Madrid, but the 30-year-old came off the bench once, while he did not stay on the pitch until the final whistle on four occasions as he was dismissed twice, and was replaced due to injury in the other two appearances. The Spain international will equal Sanchis' record if he features for the full 90 minutes in Sunday's home game against Levante, and could become the sole record holder against Racing Santander one week later. Casillas, who has a contract with Real Madrid until the summer of 2017, has so far made 603 official appearances for Madrid in all competitions.

Barcelona defender Pique believes that match officials are being put under an unfair amount of pressure, as the spotlight again fell on the referee following the Copa del Rey draw with Valencia.

Barcelona's Gerard Pique: Focus on match officials is turning football 'into a circus'

The Blaugrana defender is looking ahead on Saturday's La Liga clash after commending his side's performance in their stalemate at Mestalla.

Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique looked to sway attetention away from the officials following his side's 1-1 draw in the Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia.

Los Che were left outraged at Mestalla against Barcelona in their Copa del Rey semi-final clash after the Catalans' keeper, Jose Manuel Pinto, escaped a first-half sending off.

Speaking to AS.com the Spanish international said: "We are putting more importance on the referees than we are on the player. We're turning this into a circus."

Roberto Soldado had latched onto a terrific through ball before reaching it ahead of Pinto. Valencia's striker was then halted when Barcelona's second-choice goalkeeper appeared to handle outside the penalty area only for referee to deny Los Che's appeals for a spot kick.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola had admitted that Pinto was fortunate to stay on the pitch but Pique analysed the team's performance.

"We dominated the match, they were strong in defence but it is always difficult to win here. We had our chances, but it is a good result to take back [to Camp Nou]."

The former Manchester United player concluded by turning his attention to the weekend match against Real Sociedad: "It is a late kick-off, so we will suffer because of the cold."

 

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has insisted that his side are still in the race for the Liga title. The Argentina international inspired Barca to an emphatic 4-1 victory at Malaga on Sunday, a result which sees the Liga champions narrow the gap between themselves and leaders Real Madrid to two points. Jose Mourinho's side have the chance to restore their five point advantage at the top before the end of the day, as they host Athletic Bilbao, but Messi has stressed that the title race is not over. "There is a lot [of time] left [before the end of the league] - the second round of matches - and we will keep pushing," Messi told AS after the match. Messi then played down his team's effort to beat Malaga as they host Madrid on Wednesday in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, in which the Catalans hold a 2-1 lead. "We got tired today, but we get tired after every match because they are demanding," he added. "We are used to playing every three days. We will prepare for this match well."