In case you missed it – Real Madrid vs. AC Milan [2010-10-19].
Iker gave the team a “nota alta” and I will too, after a great performance at the Bernabéu. The Cristiano-Mesut partnership is really functioning, and I hope it brings many more happy moments for us in the future!
One. And speaking of Iker, well, I didn’t think he could get even more matchy-matchy, but he proved me wrong by showing up in neon green gloves, which matched his shoes (both are made by Reebok, so I shouldn’t be surprised). This means that the following were all green: shirt, gloves, shorts, socks, shoes, the field. At the beginning of the game, his socks were pulled up high enough so that there was no skin showing between the bottom of the shorts and the top of the socks, so he was literally green from neck to toes. Will he be asking the utilleros to make the captain’s armband in green as well?
Iker also made a fantastic save against Pirlo, and later on against Robinho. He really does have the reflexes of a cat (or jaguar/leopard, which sound better).
Speaking of Iker, this encounter was his 105th in the Champions League, over 11 years. In playing in this game, he passed Oliver Kahn as the goalkeeper who has played the most games in the history of the competition. Iker debuted in the CL on Sept. 15, 1999 against Olympiakos.
Two. Some pregame moments. First, head here to see Angel di María doing Iker proud by using his reflexes to make a save.
Next, we have Pepe and – look all the way in the back – Álvaro sort of coordinating their warm-up hip circles. And how cute is Marcelo with the kids? He talked to them while the rest of the players ignored them and – look past Pepe – tapped one of them on the face.
Speaking of those kids, if I were one of them, I’d look a lot happier, for obvious reasons. But then again, I guess they’re too young to understand the significance of the occasion – and the fact that they get to hold the hands of Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso, Cristiano Ronaldo, etc.
Three. The goals. What a spectacular minute for us! I was hoping to see a few more goals based on the way we were playing, but the important thing is those three points.
Loved the individual goal celebrations as well! Cristiano unfortunately did not rip off his shirt, but he did celebrate a la Pipita. Meanwhile, Özil smoothed down his hair and made the letter “C” with his hands. I’m not sure what it means, but I can tell you that it’s probably not a tribute for Marcelo’s wife.
Four. Fun Cristiano expressions. He has smile lines just like Iker.
Five. High-fives are definitely better than thumbs-ups.
Six. The Xabi Alonso pose section.™
You’ll have to take my word that it’s Xabi in the picture on the right, unless you’re really good and can recognize his ass – I’m sure there are some crazy fans out there that can, although it would seem that Xabi is just too classy to have crazy fans. He’d have refined fans.
Seven. More fun moments. Mesut knocked over the referee in his haste to secure the ball! Luckily, he wasn’t carded. And Xabi gets very animated in shouting at the ref.
Eight. The crowd at the Bernabéu was behind their team during this match, applauding constantly, but they also booed the opposition at times, most notably when Ronaldinho came out for Robinho. After all, these two are huge enemies of Real Madrid, as far as the fans are concerned. In fact, the whistling and insults (I won’t write what was said here) started as soon as Robinho got off the bench to warm up, and started up again each time he handled the ball once on the field.
I don’t agree with what was shouted at Robinho, but he did deserve some of the booing. I was at the Bernabéu the day of his home debut, against Celta, and I remember how he had won us all over with that huge smile, how much hope we all had invested in him, how he was going to bring Madrid back to brilliance. But he was never able to accomplish that, and add that to the way he departed and his parting shots, and you understand why he was booed last night.
Meanwhile, the AC Milan fans at the game booed José Mourinho, remembering his past as coach of Inter.
Nine. On the flip side, Clarence Seedorf got enormous cheers, starting when he touched the ball for the first time during the game. He received more cheers as Milan’s players waited for Madrid to return after the halftime, and an ovation as he left the field after the game, which he corresponded by applauding the fans back.
Watch an interview with Clarence here.
Ten. The shirts exchange section. As the first half ended and the players were walking off the field, Ángel di María exchanged shirts with Luca Antonini, and Xabi did the same with Andrea Pirlo (he’s pulling the shirt off in the picture). I wonder why they did it at the half?
Iker exchanged shirts with Gianluca Zambrotta after the game, but unfortunately was wearing a second layer underneath.
Cris also exchanged shirts with someone, and thus provided the best eye candy moment of the game. He was interviewed by TVE after the game, and since I guess he couldn’t do it topless, he put on a big purple jacket (Sergio had to do the same thing in the past). He was also quite concerned with his hair during the interview. I like how he made a point of making sure it was standing up properly. No flat hair for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, Kaká headed down to the Milan locker room to say “hi” to his old teammates and console them for the loss. Very nice!
Eleven. Several of the players spoke to the press in the mixed zone and I’m sure they had interesting things to say, but I was more concerned with their outfits. Pepe’s shirt in and of itself clashes, and then he had to add that scarf. Oh dear. And Iker wore a plaid shirt, which I’m assuming was paired with his big yellow and black sneakers.
Pipita and El Pirata looked quite good, since they kept it simple (hello Pepe) and weren’t wearing plaid (hello Iker). If what Gonzalo is wearing looks familiar, it’s because it is.
And Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to El Larguero after the game, and was asked what he likes to do at home after the games. Álvaro said he likes to watch TV, “but not football because I like to disconnect from it,” and added that he’s currently unable to do that, because his mother is visiting, and she and his wife have control over the remote.
Twelve. The Mou section. He was relatively calm for Mou during the game, and at the postgame presser, he didn’t say anything too interesting. I’m sure he’ll be back to his crazy self by this weekend.
