Barcelona full-back, Jordi Alba, says his Spanish teammate and former Real Madrid captain, Iker Casillas, is still one of the 'three-four best goalkeepers' in the world. The two of them have linked up with the national team as they prepare to take on Italy and Romania.
Alba and Casillas – when not on international duty – were part of teams that were archrivals in the Liga BBVA until the latter left Real Madrid to join Porto in controversial and unspirited circumstances.
Yet while Spain boasts of a keeper lineup including David de Gea, Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina, Alba insists that Casillas deserves his place and rates him as highly as the others.
"We know the quality of Iker and we are with him all the way," Alba told reporters in Udine.
"For me, he is one of the best three or four goalkeepers in the world. It's not only me who thinks this, either."
Alba – who has been capped 40 times by Spain – also spoke about their immediate opponents. While both Spain and Italy had a poor FIFA World Cup, the Barcelona full-back insists his team are not going to take the Azzurri lightly even though they beat them 4-0 in the last final of the UEFA Euro.
"Everything went perfectly in that final," he added. "But Italy are always difficult to beat. They're a team with a really strong spine."
Spain are missing a few key players including Diego Costa and Xavi (retired) but will try to make the best of these friendlies to assist the younger players and dseeing that they develop well enough to impress on the Euro stage later this year.
While the midfield continues to be packed in talent – with the introduction of Thiago and Sergi Roberto – Spain still lack ruthlessness up front and will probably go with a false-nine. Nonetheless, it promises to be an exciting game.
