The goalkeeper has already had seven seasons in Real's first team and is preparing for his fourth major international tournament, even though he has only just turned 25.

He is practically the only top player at Real to have escaped criticism over the past three seasons and has, almost single-handedly, held the nine-times European champions together when they have threatened to collapse.

A product of the club's youth set-up, Casillas burst into the Real first team in 1999 aged 18 after an injury to Bodo Illgner.

He was then given a fast-track promotion to the national side, earning a call-up for Euro 2000, although he did not win his first cap until a friendly with Sweden the next season.

Casillas was the hero of Real's European Cup win in 2002 when he came off the bench to produce three exceptional saves to preserve his side's 2-1 advantage over Bayer Leverkusen.

A few days later a freak accident to Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares, who dropped an aftershave bottle on his foot, made Casillas Spain's first choice at the 2002 World Cup.

He kept the team alive in a penalty shootout win over Ireland but was unable to perform similar heroics against South Korea in the quarter-finals.

Casillas left the tournament as Spain's number one keeper and has remained so ever since.

A genuine world-class player, he has a gift for spectacular reflex saves and a reputation for being almost impossible to beat in one-on-one situations.

Despite occasional lapses dealing with high balls, he remains Spain's most consistent performer and is the player most likely to make a difference if they progress beyond the group phase.

JOSE REINA has told World Cup keepers to duck if they face a Stevie Gerrard thunderbolt.

The Spain star, 23, believes no one strikes a shot harder than his Liverpool team-mate.

He said: “Gerrard has the hardest shot I have ever faced. I don’t think there is anyone that strikes the ball with as much power and accuracy as him. In training I wonder whether it would be better to just get out of the way for my own safety!”

Gerrard, 25, hit two wonder goals in the FA Cup final against West Ham.

Reina added: “His goals in the final were both unstoppable. The first one almost broke the net and the second was an absolute rocket."

Reina faces a battle with Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas for the No 1 jersey at the World Cup.

But he is preparing for the finals on a high. He got married just days after his penalty shootout saves that saw off West Ham.

He added: “I’m very happy with my new status, but now I’m going to have to spend my honeymoon with 22 other blokes!”

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes his side will need to win at least two trophies next season to help erase the memories of a disappointing 2005/06 campaign.

Not only did Real fail to pick up any silverware this season, they also had to watch arch-rivals Barcelona reign supreme in both Spain and Europe.

For those reasons, Casillas believes it is vital Real make some additions to their own trophy cabinet in the next 12 months.

"Winning two titles next season is the minimum we can do after the two consecutive Primera Ligas and the Champions League that Barcelona have won," the Spain international said on www.realmadrid.com.

"Real Madrid have to win at least two titles to compensate the fans and, meanwhile, end the spell of Barcelona. We don't have to look so much in the direction of Barcelona, and rather focus on ourselves and our club."

Spain coach Luis Aragones has defended his decision to go with youth for this summer's World Cup in Germany.

Aragones named his 23-man squad for the tournament on Monday and surprisingly left out experienced duo Fernando Morientes and Ruben Baraja.

The Liverpool striker and the Valencia midfielder have been regulars in the national team for the past seven years.

But Aragones has decided to go with a squad which is short on World Cup experience. Seventeen of the players selected are yet to play in the biggest tournament in football and 13 will be making their first appearance in an international competition.

"Of course, I wish I could have taken 34 players but inevitably I had to make a decision based on which players would be ideal for my tactics," said Aragones.

"I feel sorry for those who haven't made it, like Baraja, Morientes and the rest."

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who turned 19 earlier this month, is the youngest player in Spain's squad.

Only six players in the party figured in the 2002 World Cup - Raul, Iker Casillas, David Albelda, Xavi, Carles Puyol and Joaquin.

"I've had to ponder a lot," said Aragones. "In the end, I've decided to go with the youngsters.

"The squad's average age is 24 and they all play good football."

Aragones is hoping Real Madrid striker Raul and Barcelona midfielder Xavi will rediscover their top form in time for the tournament, with both players having struggled with serious injuries this season.

"I have full confidence in Raul and I know he will have a great World Cup," he said.

"Raul, just like Xavi, only needs to gain his top form."

However, without Morientes, Spain only have two out-and-out strikers, Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres and Valencia's in-form hitman David Villa.

"We have five players that can play up front," said Aragones.

"There are two players that can play as forwards (Torres and Villa) while two of them can play as wingers (Jose Antonio Reyes and Luis Garcia)."

With Barcelona having been confirmed as champions, the attention now turns to who will finish second in Spain and gain passage into the Champions League group stages next season.

DESPITE nine European Cups won by its top club side Real Madrid, Spain's national team have never even made the semi-finals in 11 appearances at the World Cup. 

Last time out in South Korea was a typical scenario for the Spanish when gritty coach Jose Antonio Camacho's talented line-up lost in the quarter-finals on penalties to the co-hosts. 

Euro 2004 was even more miserable when an arguably more talented and promising side led by Inaki Saez, who had coached much of the unit through the youth and under-21 sides, were squeezed out in the first round by Portugal and Greece. 

For Germany 2006, Spain had to win a play-off against Slovakia after finishing second in the group phase to Serbia and Montenegro. 

But Spain are secretly expecting something different this time out because the coach they've been craving for 20 years, old hand Luis Aragones, known as 'the Sage', has finally deigned to lend the nation his services. 

It wouldn't be Spanish without the flair and his side switches between a 4-4-2 and a 4-3-3 with an emphasis on attack. 

His squad has an average age of around 25, important in an era where long seasons drain the older players, and these youngsters breathed a huge sigh of relief when they hammered Slovakia 5-1 away in the first leg of the play-offs. 

Chief amongst the youngsters is Atletico Madrid captain the striker Fernando Torres, who will still be just 22 out in Germany and is known as El Nino, or The Kid. Liverpool's 2005 Champions League winner the midfield general Xavi Alonso will be 24, while Valencia's highly rated winger Vicente will turn 25 during the tournament. 

In goal at Real Madrid since he was a teeneger, Iker Casillas is just a few months older while his teammate the central defender Sergio Ramos will be just 20 and Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes 22. 

The inspirational Aragones must have smiled when he saw his charges drawn in Group H with the Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. An easy ride to the second round would seem a formality. 

If so they stand to meet the runner up of another so-called easy group before a potential clash with either Italy or Brazil in their perennial agonising quarter-final elimination. 

One man desperate to get past that hurdle will be Real Madrid captain Raul. 

“This is the most gifted group I have seen in my nine years with the national side,” he says. 

They'll need all their skills, guts and a healthy dose of luck if they are to finally go all the way, as Raul's club side so often do.

The incident occurred in the 21st minute of the second-half of Real's 1-0 win when Milosevic clashed with Ramos and goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

"I am going to break your neck ... I am going to break your neck and you are not going to go to World Cup," rapped Milosevic at Ramos during the white-hot encounter, says AS.

“The fact that I am being linked is a positive, but there is no chance of it happening,” Ancelotti said.

“It is clear, very clear, what will happen. You will all see that I will be still coaching Milan next season.

“You will all just have to be a little more patient to see that happen, but the Spaniards have no chance.”

Tough words indeed, but somewhat understandable. Ancelotti has only recently signed an extension to his current contract at the San Siro and he was visibly insulted by the latest rush of Spanish media speculation.

Of course none of this will be of any help to either Real’s players or the club itself, still engulfed by boardroom turmoil and behind the scenes presidential elections. Only last week Real’s Goalkeeper Iker Casillas  spoke out publicly about the negative effect this was having on the players.

'There have been a lot of comings and goings which is fine if it's in the club's best interests, but so many changes cannot be good,' Casillas said last Thursday, after the club’s board had ousted president Fernando Martin the day before.

One thing is certain, Ancelotti may have ruled himself out of the running for the Madrid hot seat, but the search and speculation will go on. It has to.

A certain former Lazio coach is out of contract at the end of this summer’s World Cup tournament, and has so far refused to commit his future to any particular club. Sven Goran-Erikkson could become the next hot favourite of the Spanish media, and maybe even Real Madrid themselves.

A Julio Baptista penalty gave Real Madrid a crucial 1-0 win over Osasuna in Pamplona on Sunday. Real 'keeper Iker Casillas odds was sent off in an ill-tempered battle for the Champions League places, although he had earlier saved a penalty in a match Osasuna should have taken something from.

"There have been a lot of comings and goings which is fine if it's in the club's best interests, but so many changes cannot be good," Casillas told a news conference on Thursday.

On Wednesday the club's board ousted president Fernando Martin after only two months at the helm, in order to hold presidential elections at the end of the season.

Martin had replaced Florentino Perez, who quit at the end of February. Until elections can be held Luis Gomez-Montejano has been installed as president on an interim basis.

"It isn't logical to have three presidents in three months but the players have to try and forget about all this and focus on the Osasuna game," the Spain international added.

"Things haven't gone well on the pitch recently and it is obvious his has caused there to be changes internally.

"But it's difficult for players to distance themselves from what is going on within the club, and it is unsettling."

Third-placed Real are 10 points adrift of leaders Barcelona, who also have a game in hand, and are two short of Valencia in second.

On Sunday Real, who have drawn six of their last eight games, travel north to face Osasuna, who are a point behind in fourth.

Real Madrid gave an unconvincing display but managed to bounce back from their recent run of poor results to defeat bottom-placed Malaga 2-1 at the Bernabeu.

A penalty from Zinedine Zidane and a last-gasp header from Sergio Ramos saw Real come back from a Ricardo Souza Bovio first half goal.

Having achieved only one win in their previous seven league games Real needed a victory to maintain their challenge for second place and direct qualification for next season's Champions League.

With only four games left in the Spanish league, Real remain third, two points adrift of Valencia who won away to the Athletic Bilbao and one point clear of Osasuna.

David Beckham returned to the starting line-up playing in his customary position on the right flank with Guti back from suspension in the centre of midfield and Antonio Cassano as the lone striker replacing the injured Ronaldo.

Real began the game somewhat nervously, almost as if the board room disagreements reported in the local press during the week had affected their concentration.

After only two minutes Malaga should have scored when a cross from Antonio Lopez found Antonio Manuel Sanchez unmarked but the winger failed to hit the target from just outside the six-yard box.

Raul thought he had scored after 20 minutes from a Beckham cross but the Real captain was harshly ruled offside and denied the Spain international.

But just three minutes later, Antonio Lopez again beat Cicinho down the left and his cross was met by Bovio and the midfielder's well struck shot beat Iker Casillas betting to give Malaga a surprise lead.

The goal appeared to sting Real into action and on the half hour a Beckham free kick to the far left of the penalty area found Robinho unmarked and the Brazilian's first time volley thundered against the underside of the cross bar only to harmlessley bounce away from danger.

The last 10 minutes of the first half saw Real move up a gear again with chances for Raul, and in particular Cassano, wasted.

The Italian striker continued to incur the wrath of the 60,000 home crowd early in the the second half as he failed to convert two opportunities from successive Beckham corners and in the 60th minute he was replaced by Roberto Soldado.

But with Real continuing to apply the pressure the Malaga defence finally succumbed as Carlos Manuel de Oliveira brought down Raul in the penalty area in the 65th minute.

Zidane, who had just been brought on for Julio Baptista, confidently struck the spot kick just inside Francesc Arnau's right-hand post to level the game.

The French international's seventh league goal this season could be one of his last for Real if, as has been suggested, he announces his retirement from first class football at a press conference next Wednesday.

And just as it appeared that Real were going to disappoint again, a 90th minute free-kick from Beckham was flicked across by Robinho and Sergio Ramos sent a flying header beyond Arnau to the relief of the tense Bernabeu crowd.

Malaga, who have never won in the Bernabeu, are now all but relegated lying 10 points adrift of salvation and with just twelve points left to play for.

Leadership group Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Guti, Iker Casillas  and Raul have all given Ancelotti the thumbs up when consulted by Martin.

Despite their public denials, it's reported Milan have known that Ancelotti will join Real since February after a verbal agreement between vice-president Adriano Galliani and Martin's predecessor, Florentino Perez.

A Real source said: "Ancelotti is the man and even if Barcelona eliminate AC Milan, it won't make a difference."

Martin intends to announce Ancelotti's arrival on May 15 - immediately after their final Liga game of the season.

The dangerous Ivan Riki dragged a left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty-area just wide before the same striker saw Iker Casillas tip a header from point-blank range over the bar in the 25th minute.

Getafe were equally impressive after the interval but they found themselves a goal down just after the hour mark.

Robinho cut in from the left and slid a ball inside to Raul.

The captain dummied and Baptista, who was running through from midfield, controlled, steadied himself and slipped a low left-footed shot between Garcia's legs from 10m.

Getafe refused to let their heads go down and came close to equalising almost straightaway through headers from Pulido and Riki.

Riki scuffed a rebound wide of the target from close range in the 77th minute after Casillas had palmed out a shot from the left edge of the penalty-area.

But with six minutes to go, the hosts grabbed the goal they thoroughly merited.

Romanian fullback Cosmin Contra whipped in a dangerous free-kick from the left flank and Tena made the most of some slack marking to glance home a simple header.

Madrid almost snatched maximum points deep into injury time when Baptista slithered a low, deflected shot against the post.

But the ball was cleared away by the Getafe defence and they deservedly claimed a point.

Struggling Real Sociedad showed plenty of promise in their 1-1 draw with Real Madrid last weekend and they will look to build on that for the clash with Racing Santander.

The Basque side held their own against Madrid although they needed a gift from goalkeeper Iker Casillas to claim an equaliser.

Their performance demonstrated the club have the talent to avoid relegation but they will have to turn this into points quickly as they are still encamped inside the relegation zone.

Their biggest reason for hope is Mark Gonzalez, who has taken the Spanish top-flight by storm since his loan move from Liverpool in January.

He produced a virtuoso display against Madrid and was a constant threat to Casillas, before eventually being on hand to capitalise on the keeper's error.

Caretaker coach Jose Mari Bakero sees the match against Racing as another important fixture but is not getting carried away.

"This is another key game but we also have five more after this," he said.

"The team has recovered its competitive edge and has improved in the last two weeks. On an individual level we have re-discovered our form with the ball.

"This is one more game and whatever happens we will still be alive afterwards.

"We have to be patient and play the match with intelligence - they have picked up a lot of points away from home and have a great spirit in their team.

"They always wait for their moments and play a direct style on the counter-attack. When they do not have the ball they defend with a lot of players back."

Bakero refused to give any clues as to the line-up he would field.

"There are always different possibilities," he said. "And whether you are playing at home or away can lead to changes. For me though I prefer to concentrate on our own play."

Recent poor form has seen Racing slip into the relegation battle and coach Manolo Preciado believes that his team must up their concentration levels against Sociedad.

"It is going to be a difficult match but even if we get a victory then nothing will have been assured," he said.

"We would be nearer to safety and from there we would have to keep picking up points.

"Real are a side who are strong at home and have struggled more away, which is different to our own form.

"Recently though they have improved a lot and they have an impressive forward line who we have to be careful of."

Real Madrid slipped to third place on Saturday as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad whilst Valencia beat Celta 1-0 courtesy of a Miguel Angel Angulo goal. Ronaldo scored for Real but their lead was cancelled out by Mark Gonzalez, who scored following an Iker Casillas error.