odds and ends

All the things that are interesting, but for which I can’t be bothered to write separate posts…

One. The Getafe game – it was a tale of two halves, no?  It was great seeing Gago back out there, making great contributions.  What was not so great – his mullet.  Iker made an uncivilized gesture toward (his friend and ex-teammate) Dani Parejo, and was still angry even after the game.  However, the next day, he was back to his classy self and told the press that Parejo hadn’t done anything wrong, and admitted that he had reacted badly.  Meanwhile, congratulations are in order for Pedro Mosquera, who finally made his début.  He said the next day that his dream had finally come true, in his seventh call-up to the first team.

Also the next day:  Sergio Ramos, with Cristiano’s encouragement, making fun of Iker.  I love the camaraderie!

Two. Did you know that Pipita is the fifth player on the current Real Madrid squad to reach 100 games?  The first four are the four captains (Raúl, Guti, Iker & Sergio), which just tells you that the most players don’t stay with Madrid for very long, and that this squad is made up of a lot of newcomers.

Three. Have you ever noticed that Xabi’s hair color and beard color don’t match?  I think it’s a bit strange, but that in no way detracts from his handsomeness.

Four. Apparently, Sergio Ramos will participate as a singer in a song to help Haiti.  This I have to see hear.  It’s called “Ay Haiti!” by the way, and my beloved Alejandro Sanz is also a participant.

Five. Blog Dona da Bola has pics of the Higuaín family from way back.  Pipita’s brothers are cute!

Six. Here we have Sylvie van der Vaart, looking beyond gorgeous in Linda magazine.   Rafa is one lucky man.  Video here.

Seven. Looking ahead to tonight’s game against Atleti, Raúl Albiol tells AS that his relationship with current Atlético head coach Quique Sánchez Flores is very good, because it was Quique that gave him his début in Getafe, had confidence in him after his car accident, and took him to Valencia when he became coach there.  He adds that Quique is the coach that has had the most influence on his career, because it was him that converted Raúl into a central defender:  Getafe had signed him as a midfielder but Quique used him as a defender after the car accident, because it was a less physically demanding position.  Albiol says that if it weren’t for the accident, perhaps he wouldn’t have become a defender.

Eight. Continuing with the derby madrileño, did you know that Iker played his first one back on Oct. 30, 1999, in his third-ever game as a member of the first team?  Bizzarri, the starting goalkeeper, was expelled during the game, and so Iker came in in the 51st minute for Guti, to an ovation from the Bernabéu.  He then made several great saves, and hasn’t looked back since then!  (ok, he took a step back in the 2001-2002 season).

Nine. Una Madridista favorite Santi Solari talks with Marca about the derby (remember, he’s one of the few players to have played for both teams) and says he believes Madrid is a strong team that has personality, control, the ability to destabilize others and goals; in short, everything.  He adds that his time at the Bernabéu was very happy.