Not bad, not bad at all! Results wise, that is – all 12 of our jugadores who played last night won, in the five matches held across Europe. And a couple of them even scored!
Iker came away with another win at Hampden Park, as Spain – Xabi and Sergio also played, with all three clocking in 90 minutes – beat Scotland 3-2. Meanwhile, Sergio Canales didn’t see action in the Spanish U-21 team’s 3-0 victory over Croatia, which means that team will be competing in the 2011 U-21 Euro, and has a shot at playing in the 2012 Olympics!
Elsewhere, Cristiano scored once – via a free kick – as Portugal defeated Iceland 3-1. Cristiano, Pepe and Ricardo each played all 90 minutes. France beat Luxembourg 2-0 behind a goal from Benzema – who played 62 minutes – and one from Gourcuff. Hope this helps Karim get his confidence back! Germany, meanwhile, also scored three against Kazakhstan as they finished the game 3-0, with Sami playing the entire game and Mesut playing 79 minutes. And finally, the Netherlands drubbed Sweden 4-1, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scoring two goals. Wesley and Rafa played the entire game, and Ruud came in as Huntelaar’s sub in the 84th minute.
And now for a bit of bad news. Sergio Ramos ended his game with pains in his right knee after hurting it while warming up, when Joan Capdevila accidentally hit it. When he woke up this morning, it still hurt, so he went to Valdebebas in the morning to have it checked out. He’ll have further tests today. I hope he recovers soon!
Today’s training session will be held at 17h – and will be closed to the press – to allow the international players a bit of respite. The next game is against Málaga, on Saturday at 22h.
And now some news on non-international players…
And Kaká will be reappearing today, when the Real Madrid Foundation and Endesa (a Spanish electric company) present an agreement to collaborate on social and educational development projects in Peru. Marcelo will also be there, since there’s apparently a rule requiring two players at these types of acts. The act will be held at the presidential box of the Bernabéu.
As for Rubén de la Red, Marca reports that Mourinho has spoken to FP about incorporating Rubén into his team, as he knows that in one weeks time, Rubén will no longer be able to collect social security benefits. The job entails tactical labors and some scouting (making reports about the players and teams that Madrid will face).
— What a wonderful thing for Mourinho to do! The fact that he was aware of the situation and monitored it closely says volumes about him. If you didn’t like him before, perhaps this has swayed you? —
The club also believes that Rubén will do well training one of the youth teams in the future.
Oh, and José Jr. was at yesterday’s training session! I wonder if his dad allows him to go to the closed ones?