in case you missed it – the patience edition
In case you missed it – Real Madrid vs. Osasuna [2010-09-11].
This game wasn’t much better than the Mallorca game. Mou says we need time, and Iker has asked for patience. I’m going to comply with that because I really believe that things can only get better, and that soon we’ll be winning and playing beautiful football.
One. Did you catch the roar in the Bernabéu about 30 seconds in, when the final score of the Barcelona-Hércules game was flashed on the scoreboard? Hércules lived up to their reputation as monster slayers! People in the stadium cheered and sang (from “Hércules, Hércules” to some anti-Barça songs) for several minutes after that. What a beautiful second goal from Valdez to beat Valdés! Some fans were saying that Mou is a genius, because he managed to get rid of Drenthe and send him to Hércules to beat Barcelona. Here we have the assistant coaches looking up at the scoreboard and the actual scoreboard.
Drenthe said later on that he received a lot of text messages from his former teammates congratulating him on the victory (they had also sent him texts throughout the week asking for a victory against Barcelona).
Two. The goal – as AS pointed out, it went from CR to RC. They must be really bored. Anyway, an unexpected player opened Madrid’s goal sheet this season. I liked how Ricardo Carvalho also celebrated with the players warming up on the sidelines. After the game, he said, “I’m happy that I scored, but happier that we won.” Madrid ended up winning the game on this goal, 1-0.
Three. The tribute to the World Cup champs before the game. More here.
Four. Iker stuff. This was his first home game as first captain of Madrid, he hugged ex-canterano Juanfran at the end of the first half, he wore blue again (still no sign of the green kit), and looked bored and/or stretched for a lot of the game, which was no surprise, because Madrid spent about 2/3 of the game in possession of the ball. A stat: Iker has had to make only three saves in two games.
Oh, and with this game, Iker tied Guti for ninth in Madrid’s all time Liga games played list with 387 games. He should end the season in sixth place, surpassing Míchel (404), Osasuna coach Camacho (414) and Pirri (417) in the process.
Here’s Iker stretching, spitting & scrunching up his nose, showing off and squeezing Juanfran.
Five. Mesut Özil got a standing ovation as he was subbed out late in the game. He was probably the only player the Bernabéu really cheered (some other players got whistles, including Cristiano, who said he didn’t hear them). Mesut said the ovation was special, and that the Madrid crowd is a lot more tranquil than those at various stadiums throughout the Bundesliga.
Six. Mou stuff: he kept writing in his special notebook during the game, and I was also very entertained by his various facial expressions, one of the very few entertaining things in this game.
Seven. Both Pepe and Cristiano returned, and both looked good.
Eight. I liked what Michael Robinson (Canal Plus commentator) said as Karim Benzema was subbed out: “hay un buen jugador dentro de Benzema que quiere salir” (there’s a good player inside Benzema that wants to come out).
Nine. Xabi could really have a second career as a model; the man knows how to pose. And without the beard, he looks five years younger!
Ten. Love these two pictures of Cristiano.
Eleven. Marcelo vs. Aranda.
Twelve. Kaká was at the game. Good thing they showed him, because I’ve already sort of forgotten that he plays for Real Madrid. I need to be patient with him too.
P.S. – on Sunday, he attended an equestrian event at the Campo Villa in Madrid with Luca.
Looking forward to the Ajax game; hopefully Madrid plays better in the Champions League!
I don’t know if you remember Lyon last year, we lost the first leg 1-0 and the problem became the away goals rule and sure enough we conceded it. Higuain did miss a big chance but it should not be forgotten even with that we would have lost the tie.
Its obvious Madrid are focusing on defence and I think we all should realize we will get better in attack after a few clean sheets, Jose has not conceded so far which is a miracle! and like he pointed out they never even threatened IC.
Iker has said we need some months to gel and Jose keeps telling AS to count his training sessions.
Lets give them that.
Despite the problems in attack we are on top of Barcelona and if we defend like we did on Saturday in the future one goal will be enough to win :).
Yes, Mesut deserved it! And i was thinking the same about Drenthe vs barca. Hope he will go easy with Madrid later when we meet Hercules. All the best of luck for the CL game against Ajax!
Ah, the notebook. I’m guessing Jose used those notes for today’s training session. I know that our players have it in them – just praying that the ketchup bottle gets unclogged on Wednesday.
Do you know what’s wrong with the pitch? It looks terrible.
There was an oil leak from one of the tractors used to maintain the field, as well as fungal growth on the part of the field near the benches. The maintenance team is trying to treat both problems before the Ajax game.
Lmao I love Mou’s facial expressions! He looks kinda bored so this is how I read them, 1. I like chewing gum. 2. Oooh! Almost swallowed it! 3. Eh, still tastes good.
….lol I know Im weird 😉
Hahaha. This is what I matched up with his facial expressions:
1) Come on Sergio just take that darn shirt off..
2) Ooooh Lord, he’s a masterpiece!
3) Damn it, he put it back on..
hilarious
Lol I remember Mou started writing before kickoff, maybe it was “Dear Diary,”.
I was in the bathroom when Carvalho scored..which obviously annoyed me
“Mou is a genius, because he managed to get rid of Drenthe and send him to Hércules to beat Barcelona” hahaha it’s all about TSO isn’t it? 😉 I was quite impressed with Drenthe, I guess he’s better off with more pitch time than being in RM.
As for Xabi’s beard, I miss it! It does make him look older, but I think that’s a good thing in his case.
not that Iker gets rusty when they dont let him save at least a few balls, not that harmless stuff as Saturday. =)
I love Mous faces too. Do you know that table with smileys with every mood on? I bet one can make that with Mou easily. I like when people show in which mood they are.
AHHHH Xabi he even poses on the pitch. Girls, I only found yesterday this video… (how could I miss that?) So for all who missed it too and for the others, enjoy again:
I love the first pic of Cris too. Its pure dynamics.
I hate the crowd whistling the players of the own club! Its just embarassing!!!
That’s true (but people forget when chances are flying in, the crowd applauds, and how good was the ovation Ozil got :).)
Now if we just imagined Real Madrid creating four or five chances in three minutes the crowd applauding and getting very excited, it would become quite a cauldron for the opposition.
Also I noticed in the highlight the fans applauded good chances and actually got very cross when CR was selfish but when Ozil dribbled and chipped, they applauded.
This is not a typical crowd they come to be entertained and understand the game(s attacking side).
Very detailed report from una!!! Good stuff!