Cup Quarterfinals (2nd Leg): Players reactions

CASILLAS: "MOURINHO IS THE NUMBER ONE; IT CREATES A LOT OF ENVY" 

The captain of Real Madrid, Iker Casillas, said the team was able to play well the quarter-finals of Cup against Atletico Madrid: "We controlled the first minutes, then we find the goal and they came down. They tried but I think today was our best defensive game in 2011".

Iker Casillas

On the rumors that suggest that Mourinho could leave the club, Casillas is confident in the commitment of his coach: "The coach has his ways of being. He has his character and genius, but is a committed person. He is the number one in terms coaches, and that creates a lot of envy. Real Madrid and Mourinho made a good pairing. "

About Jorge Valdano "Jorge is a person who has a way of being and the coach too. In a relationship there may be differences, but seeking the good of Madrid" said the captain.

ARBELOA: “I THINK THE CLUB SHOULD SUPPORT MOURINHO TO DEATH”

Arbeloa gave great importance to the white team's goal that settled the tie at the very beginning the meeting: "Our goal was key. We knew it was important to keep a clean sheet because we thought we could concede a goal given their strength in attack. Our strike hit them hard psychologically and they hardly had any chances to score since. I am sorry for Reyes' injury. It was an accident. I didn't mean to hurt him".

Alvaro Arbeloa

And evaluated the matches against Sevilla, the team's next opponents in the Spanish Cup: "Our games against Sevilla will be very important and we are very excited to play them. We have to try to win always because we can't afford to make mistakes. Our fixtures with Sevilla will be tough and difficult. We will have to fight hard to win. We are just two games away from a final and we are very excited about that".

About Mourinho: "We know what Mourinho thinks what's happening in the club. He has all our confidence and we think the club should support him to death. I hope so"

ALONSO: “PLAYING WITHOUT A CENTRE FORWARD HAS ADVANTAGES”

White midfielder said the game went as they expected. Atletico with the desire to win but could be controlled by the Real Madrid players: "Atletico started strong, as was to be expected. Fortunately, Cristiano's goal calmed things down and allowed us to face up to the remainder of the match. We controlled the pacing and, despite having few chances to score, we managed to prevent Atletico from reaching our goal most of the time. We knew how to play the match to keep the advantage we got in the first leg."

Xabi Alonso

About the next round: "The knockout stage will be difficult, as befits a Spanish Cup semifinal. The first leg at the Sanchez Pizjuan will be very tough, but I believe we are prepared to win it".

Also commented on the change team strategy for this game: "Playing without a centre forward has its advantages. It allows Cristiano to have more freedom in attack and Marcelo to cover more ground down the wing. What matters is that we are true to our style regardless of who plays. It proves we have a solid squad".

RAMOS: “SEMIFINALS AGAINST SEVILLA WILL BE TOUGH”

"We know the semifinals against Sevilla will be tough because they are a great team. We have great hopes to win the Copa and we will fight hard to reach the final."

The white defense would not comment anything about the substitution of Benzema: "In order to win titles the most important thing is to stick together, regardless of who plays". 

ALBIOL: “THE TEAM FEELS FINE AND WE GRADUALLY IMPROVE”

Raúl Albiol believes that the semi-final against Sevilla will be tough because theAndalusian team has high hopes for winning the competition as it did last year: "We are very happy because we are one step away from the final. The two games will be tough. The Copa is very important to Sevilla and they've reached far in the championship in recent years. Both teams are anxious to win".

About the team and the possibility to win titles: "The harder our rivals, the better the satisfaction to win the title, if we manage to. The team feels fine and we gradually improve. We are fighting to win three titles. We won't give up in any championship".

MARCELO: “I ALWAYS PLAY WHERE I'M NEEDED”

The left back played more ahead than usual, a strategy that helped the team to qualify for next round: "I play wherever I can help the team. The coach asked me to play in this position tonight and I always play where I'm needed" "We will try to reach the final, but we must now think about the league because our next match will be tough".