Casillas back in Madrid's goal for Spanish league

Associated Press
Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas grabs the ball next to Bayern's David Alaba during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena in Munich, southern Germany, Tuesday, April 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)

MADRID (AP) — 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.