the quick news round-up

One. A reason to feel optimistic:  surgery has been ruled out for Pipita’s herniated disc.  He’ll go instead with the “conservative option” of medical treatment and kinesiology sessions.  The first epidural yesterday worked, and lessened the amount of pain and inflammation.  Gonzalo could be back in action around one month’s time, depending on how well he responds to the treatment.

This also means that he won’t be traveling to Argentina to get a third opinion (the first was from doctors at Sanitas, and the second from Dr. Cáceres).  Gonzalo worked out yesterday in the pool at Valdebebas.  Here’s to a speedy recovery, Pipita!

Two. UEFA’s Appeals Body announced its decision in the appeals case relating to the Ajax-Madrid game on Nov. 23.  The first decision by UEFA was this (basically fining the club, Mou, Sergio, Xabi, Iker and Dudek a total of €215,000 and suspending Mou for two games) but the Appeals Body reversed some of that, so the new sentence is this:  the club’s fine has been reduced from €120,000 to €100,000; Mou’s fine was reduced from €40,000 to €30,000 and he is suspended for one match (against Auxerre tomorrow) instead of two.  Everything else (the fines to Xabi, Sergio, Iker and Dudek) stands.

Three. Speaking of Wednesday’s game, Mou won’t be there, but he is preparing some line-up changes.  It appears that Iker will get a rest, with Dudek coming in to replace him, and Benzema will also start the game.  Álvaro Arbeloa will replace the suspended Sergio Ramos, Eze Garay could also get some minutes, and MFC could also see his debut!

Four. And since Xabi is suspended for tomorrow’s game, he’s enjoying a bit of vacation, and on Monday headed to Liverpool to watch their game against Aston Villa, which Liverpool won 3-0.  He tweeted that it was cold there.

Cue some Liverpool fans interpreting his presence and this tweet as signs that Xabi wants to return to Anfield.

Xabi, Sergio and Iker are all enjoying the mini-vacation Mou has conceded to them, since none of them will be playing against Auxerre.

Five. Their partnership to support the Iberian bid didn’t get the desired result, but Iker and Figo will once against team up on Friday to present a charity football game, the “Partido por la Ilusíon, Fútbol 7 Solidario” which will take place on Dec. 23.  The presentation will take place at the Consejo Superior de Deportes.

Six. Rubén de la Red is now an accredited coach, according to the RFEF.  He recently obtained the UEFA Pro license, which means he can coach any team in any category in the 53 countries that make up UEFA, after completing the three levels of the course.  He’s already spent several weeks learning from Real Madrid’s coaches.

Seven. In an interview with Radio Marca, Marcelo said the following:

– Mou said he’s in love with me, and I am also in love with him (laughs).

– I spoke a lot with Pepe [during the Valencia game].  After that incident he had with Getafe, a lot of players try to provoke him during the 90 minutes (to make him react) with elbows, kicks, etc.  Everyone can see that Pepe keeps a cool head and does not get provoked.  He’s like a brother to me, he’s the one that takes care of me the most in Real Madrid.

– We have Iker Casillas as a captain, but Sergio Ramos also talks a lot.  Xabi and Cristiano are also captains although they don’t wear the armband.

Eight. And looking ahead to the end of the year: the last game Madrid will play in 2010 will be their Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg against  Levante, which will take place at the Bernabéu on Dec. 22 (Wednesday) at 22h.  The players only have seven days of vacation (most will return to their native countries), and are scheduled to return back on either Dec. 20 or Dec. 30, since there are three games to be played from Jan. 1-9 (Getafe in the Liga, Levante in the Copa and Villarreal in the Liga).

According to Marca, Kaká will spend his vacation in Madrid instead of returning to Brazil, to continue with his recuperation process.