all set for the Copa del Rey!
(Mou looks like he’s ready to jump out of an airplane, no?)
Following today’s training session, José Mourinho revealed his call-up of 18 players for tomorrow’s Copa del Rey game against Murcia, including two canteranos, goalkeeper Jesús Fernández and midfielder Álex Fernández (no relation though!). The other big news was that Lass made his return, and that Pepe, Carvalho, Özil and Khedira will be rested.
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Adán, Jesús.
Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Albiol.
Midfielders: Granero, Lass, Xabi Alonso, Diarra, Pedro León, Di María, Canales, Álex.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuaín, Benzema.
Only four defenders? That’s kind of scary!
In his press conference later on, Mou gave us most of the starting line-up.
He started out by listing some names – Casillas, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo, Canales, Benzema – then counted how many that was (seven) so he said, “four more.” Later on, in declarations about his players, he said Pedro León would start. And as he was leaving the press conference, he said, “Granero, nine.” You’ll notice that there are a lot of Spaniards in the line-up, because “the Copa del Rey should be more important for the Spaniards.” Video here!
Other soundbites:
– I would like to see the Bernabéu a bit more enthusiastic. If they want it, we’ll win.
– this is the most important game of the season, because you could lose a competition.
– my philosophy is that competitions are won with the entire squad, not a team… the starters of today can be the substitutes of tomorrow.
– we have, without spending a euro, two fantastic winter signings: Gago and Kaká [what a nice thing to say!].
I love him!
Bonus Benzema, following the great examples of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos:
Haha, I squeal every time I realize that Alvaro and Albiol will be on the pitch together! It will inevitably be a bromantic feature of the ICYMI post 😀 But you’re right, only four defenders?!..
Yes, Karim! These are the types of things we want to catch on between you players, not all that thumbs up mumbo jumbo!
Perhaps some of our players will be asked to defend as well, as some of them have done for parts of our recent games?
Mou, if you keep telling me we’re not changing our squad save for the “winter signings” of our injured players, I’m going to really start believing you!
I hope Álex or Jesús get to play, even if it’s just for a bit.
‘‘this is the most important game of the season, because you could lose a competition’’
sorry Una but I did not follow?
Madrid could be eliminated from the Copa del Rey depending on the result of this game.
belated, but thanks.
Oh, forgot to add wow mou looking soooooo sexy in that outfit and the fresh look.
I was thinking that too! he’s looking good!
I agree. I never expected that, but I am on a journey from not taking care about Mou to absolutely adoring him. This pic is so cool.
Woah, four defenders is scary… then again, Mourinho knows exactly what he’s doing, the match against Hercules being a prime example. Excited for tomorrow!
benzema’s thigh is SEXY!!
This is the first game of this season I am nervous for! The guys HAVE to win this one!
oooh. I’m sorry but Benz can’t pull it off.
Why do they always do that anyway? I mean, is there a reason?