in case you missed it – the royal edition

In case you missed it – Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid [2010-09-18].

San Sebastián is one of my favorite cities in Spain, not only because it’s beautiful, but because it has great food as well!  I was just there this time last year, because I remember that the visit coincided with the film festival – we had parked our car and emerged in a plaza, where there was a huge crowd of people waiting in the rain to catch a glimpse of Brad Pitt.  Now you all know that the equivalent of Brad Pitt for me is Iker Casillas, and I almost saw him one time in San Sebastián a while back as well, during the last time la Real was in the primera.  During a puente (long weekend), my friends and I decided spontaneously to spend the weekend in San Sebastián, and since we were nine people, we drove in two cars.  The car I was in was stuck in traffic when my friends called me to say they were stuck outside the Hotel María Cristina, because Real Madrid’s bus had just pulled up and the players were getting off.  I asked them to take some pictures, and I remember they got Figo and Solari.  Ok, enough recollections about Donosti and onto the game!

One. That was some nice collaboration between Pepe and Cristiano for the second goal, although I don’t know if it was deliberate.  In any case, I’m sure Cris was relieved, and you could see how happy for him his teammates were as well – Sergio kissed him and Marcelo gave him a special hug, with both moving to a rhythm only they could hear.

Two. A screenshot of the players who will vie to succeed Guti as the player with the most “original” outfits.  Iker’s hiding behind them, trying to get out of the competition, but by virtue of Iker being Iker, he’s definitely a contestant.  (Whenever a celebrity or what passes for a celebrity in Spain wears a questionable outfit, the magazines always describes it as “original.”)

Three. Who knew that FP had fans as well?

Four. I love this shot of the players looking at Mou as if he were a bit crazy.  Coincidentally, the only one not to do so, el Pirata, was the only one that got to play in the game.  He probably knows better because he’s a psych major.

Five. Poor Benzema.  He started warming up at the 15 minute mark in the second half, and the minutes ticked by as he kept running and stretching.  He didn’t get to enter the game until the 44 minute mark, when there was barely any time left in the game.

Six. Oh no, I left the hair gel at the hotel!

Seven. Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t the only underwear model on the field on Saturday night.  This is Real Sociedad defender Alberto de la Bella.  And he is indeed “of beauty” – check out his ads for Dirk Bikkembergs undies!  Impressive, no?

Eight. I think I will start a fund to pay primera footballers to ask for the complete package of Iker’s jersey AND the undershirt.  They won’t get the money unless they are able to convince Iker to take off and exchange both shirts.  And yes, Ángel di María had a great game, but I’m more interested in Iker behind him.

Nine. Speaking of Iker, he spent the game giving out directions and his patented “I’m so disappointed in my defense” look – perfected over seasons and seasons when FP refused to buy any defenders.

Ten. Despite that, Iker only had to make one save during the game, a great one.  Mou wasn’t pleased with Sergio Ramos the defense either, and took it out on his water bottle when Iker made that save.  Sergio better be preparing a nice present for Iker.

Eleven. Sergio threw a mini tantrum when the call went against his team – love the foot stomping – and got his reward for defending Madrid later on when Iker gave him a little pat on the ass.

Twelve. And of course, we have to mention Xabi Alonso in this post, because this game was his homecoming.  Before the game, as the Madrid line-up was being announced over the PA system, the announcer paused after saying “Xabi Alonso,” and the crowd responded with applause.  Xabi also saluted the players and the fans after the game.  His father Periko Alonso watched the game from home, since he had decided a couple of seasons ago that he would prefer to watch games tranquilly at home.  Bonus Xabi here, scoring a goal AGAINST Real Madrid and Iker.  Guti also makes a brief appearance in the video, and Xabi looks good in stripes.

Thirteen. The Mourinho section.

Let’s start off with a game.  Try to guess the situation that just occurred by looking at Mou’s expression.  The four situations are: Di María’s goal, a miss by Real Sociedad, Tamudo’s goal and regular game action.  No cheating by looking at the time!

Fun Mou things: more gum chewing (how many packs does he go through in a game?  Here’s a video that might give us a clue.) and the way he expresses disbelief.  He could be an actor.

And of course, there was the impromptu press conference at the Vitoria airport at 2:10 in the morning, where he cleared up a few things.

No rest for the weary – the team returned to training at 11h this morning!