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Iker Casillas set to break Champions League record in Schalke game
When they play The Royal Blues tomorrow, FC Porto will be reminded of the magical time when they beat Schalke on the road to winning the Champions League in the 2003/04 season. For Iker Casillas, who wasn’t on Porto’s books at the time, the game will be special for other reasons though. The Spaniard will go into the Champions League history books when he plays at the VELTINS-Arena.
The 37-year-old is playing in the number one shirt for his 20th straight season in the Champions League. “For me, I’ve fulfilled a dream,” says Casillas, who made his Champions League debut for Real Madrid on the 15th September 1999. “The three points that are up for grabs are more important than the record for me. I’m fully focussed on the game against FC Schalke 04,” emphasises Casillas, who’s won three Champions League titles in his career.
Not the first time that Casillas and S04 have crossed paths
The VELTINS-Arena will be familiar surroundings for the Porto goalkeeper. Playing in Real Madrid colours, the Spaniard visited Gelsenkirchen twice and was in goal the last time Schalke played in the Champions League – a 4-3 win against Real in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Since the 2015/16 season, the five-time world goalkeeper of the year has been on Porto’s books, where he is “aiming high” on the European stage – in his own words. “Our group is very evenly-matched. We must give it our all in every game to get out of the group,” adds the Porto man.
Sergio Conceicao: Schalke can switch it up
Porto Coach Sergio Conceicao had this to say on the group, containing his team, Die Knappen, Lokomotiv Moscow and Galatasaray: “We’re certainly one of the favourites due to our past performances in the competition, and we want to prove that.” The 43-year-old, who spent part of his playing career at Porto, will be known to many German football fans, in particular for his part in the 2000 European Championships. It was there in Rotterdam that he scored all three goals for Portugal in a 3-0 win over Germany. The result sealed Germany’s exit from the competition.
Today, 18 years later, Conceicao has a very high opinion of German football: “The Bundesliga certainly isn’t easy, as the league is really tough and the teams are fairly equal.” He adds: “Schalke will make it very difficult for us. They finished as last season’s Bundesliga runners up for a reason.”
Just like Tedesco, Conceicao has also analysed his opponents under a fine magnifying glass. “Schalke can switch it up mid-game,” says the Coach. “Our opponents are very fluid and are extremely dynamic – but the same applies to us. I’m looking forward to a very interesting match.”