Casillas back in league action for Real Madrid

Iker Casillas will play for Real Madrid in the Spanish league for the first time in more than a year to maintain his form for the upcoming Champions League final (Andres Kudacki/AP)

MADRID, Spain — Iker Casillas will play for Real Madrid in the Spanish league for the first time in more than a year to maintain his form for the upcoming Champions League final.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti says he will split the remaining four league games between regular starter Diego Lopez and Casillas, so that the Spain goalkeeper won’t be rusty for the European final on May 24 against crosstown rival Atletico Madrid.

Ancelotti says "Casillas needs to play. It didn’t seem fair to have him not play for a month while preparing" for the final.

Casillas has been reduced to only playing in the Champions League and Copa del Rey this season after former coach Jose Mourinho benched him last season.

The last time Casillas played in La Liga was January 2013.

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