The Italian is delighted with the two goalkeepers and is happy to continue rotating them each game

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says Iker Casillas and Diego Lopez are both first choice after watching his side beat Espanyol 1-0 in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game, with the result seeing Casillas break his own record for the number of minutes clocked up since he last conceded a goal – a figure which now stands at 592.

The World Cup winner was overlooked by Jose Mourinho in the second half of last season and replaced by Lopez, but Ancelotti has opted to rotate the two goalkeepers this term, with Casillas featuring regularly in cup games.

Reports have suggested the 32-year-old could look to leave the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season in search of the No.1 jersey elsewhere, but the Italian coach insists he is equally first choice.

“I have to congratulate him because he is playing brilliantly at the moment. He deserves his record and he is really helping the team,” he said.

“He made a fantastic save [to deny Córdoba]. In every game, he is playing well. At the moment, the two goalkeepers are playing alternate matches and so Iker is as much our first choice as Diego López.”

Gareth Bale endured a frustrating evening in Barcelona – but still managed to force a fine save out of Espanyol keeper Kika with a dipping free-kick – and Ancelotti pointed to the Welshman’s work ethic throughout.

“I thought he had a decent game. Maybe he wasn’t as sharp as he normally is but he worked tirelessly in defence and in attack. The whole team played exceptionally well for about an hour. As far as his position is concerned, he has no problem playing down the right, he has done many times.”

According to Goal

The Brazilian midfielder came on as a second half substitute in the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday evening but suffered a knee injury just 20 minutes later

Liverpool are facing an anxious wait to learn the full extent of an injury to Lucas Leiva.

The Brazil midfielder was withdrawn just 20 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday as Brendan Rodgers’ side came back from two goals down.

Steven Gerrard’s penalty eight minutes into the second half after Daniel Sturridge had reduced the deficit ultimately ensured that they left with a point, but afterwards Rodgers admitted concern for Lucas.

“He clashed knees with the opponent and felt a little click in his knee,” the Liverpool boss said. “Hopefully it’s not too serious but we won’t know for the next 24-48 hours.”

The news is the latest injury blow for Lucas, who reportedly left Anfield on crutches after the game.

The 27-year-old has had knee problems in the past and missed the second half of the 2011-12 season after damaging his cruciate ligament in a Capital One Cup quarter-final against Chelsea.

He also missed three months last season, his first under Rodgers, after suffering a thigh problem.

According to Goal

The Netherlands head coach says he was contacted by Spurs in late 2013 and admits managing in the Premier League interests him

Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has confirmed he was approached by Tottenham following Andre Villas-Boas’ sacking.

The 62-year-old, along with Guus Hiddink and Fabio Capello, was contacted initially by Spurs before Tim Sherwood was handed the reins on a full-time basis.

“Everybody knows it so I can admit it,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports News. “I don’t do things in a double function [holding two jobs at the same time].

“You have to give an example to your players that they have to focus on the national team and that is my ambition also.

“I have refused [the Tottenham job] but maybe there will come another chance. That is the difficulty with coaching. When you are free, then maybe there are no vacancies.”

Van Gaal, though, admits working in the Premier League interests him but not until after the World Cup.

“When you are working, then there are vacancies. It is always difficult. After the World Cup I shall retire or, if there is a Premier League club, I shall think about it,” he said.

“I want to work in the Premier League because that is the league I have not worked in yet.

“I want to coach here in the Premier League because I think Spain, Germany and England are the strongest competitions. That is an ambition and who knows.”

According to Goal