In case you missed it – Real Madrid vs. Mallorca {2011-01-23, Liga jornada 19].
Well, Karim Benzema must have taken what Kaká and José Mourinho said to heart, because he responded last night and gave us three very important points. This was his 10th goal of the season (two in the Liga, and four apiece in the other two competitions). He also received a nice ovation from the crowd at the Bernabéu.
ONE. The goal. And a great one it was too. But what I loved were the celebrations – in addition to Karim jumping into Cristiano’s arms, all of his teammates came up individually to hug him. They all knew how important this goal was for him and they were all happy for him. All together now – awwww.
Benzema’s teammates also had nice things to say about him after the game: Marcelo said they have a lot of confidence in Karim, adding that “we’re the first ones to be happy for him. We have a lot of affection for him and we need to support him. We hope the goal will motivate him to continue growing as a footballer.” Meanwhile, Iker advised that “we should leave him alone and not overwhelm him. He is an introvert but he’s opened up and he has the support of everyone in the locker room. He’s very noble and he wouldn’t hurt a fly.” And Carvalho remarked, “we’re happy for him, and the goal was important because it makes him happy and it helped us a lot too.”
TWO. While the players were waiting to come out into the stadium, Sergio adjusted himself, but this time did it with his back to the camera. Boooooo. And Cristiano danced his way up the stairs. I love how he can incorporate his dance moves into anything!
THREE. The starting line-up was a bit unusual, because it featured Kaká, Gago and Granero as the midfield. At the half, the first two were substituted for Özil and Xabi Alonso, respectively, while Lass came in for El Pirata in the 63rd minute. José Mourinho’s explanation for this after the game was, “today I decided to change some players because on Wednesday we have an important game. I managed to rest the midfield that will play in Sevilla. Khedira is injured but will play on Wednesday.” He added that, “the team improved immediately following the double substitution at the half.” (In the end, Xabi got to rest for 30 minutes, because by the 30th minute of the first half, Mou had sent him to warm up, not pleased with how Madrid was playing.)
So, we got to see the rare sight of Xabi warming up on the sideline, and Ozi as well. Poor Sergio Canales was also spotted warming up, but didn’t make it into the game. And doesn’t Xabi look like he’s dancing with an invisible partner as he warms up?
FOUR. Cris ended the first half none too pleased with the refereeing team. I love that look of one-third exasperation, one-third disbelief and one-third self pity.
FIVE. Obviously, Kaká changing his boots on the sideline was more important than the game itself, because the cameras filmed the entire process while ignoring the game.
SIX. Front and back.™
Karim Benzema.
Cris (with bonus Karim).
El Pirata.
Iker. Once again, the profile beats the front.
A Xabi-esque Kaká.
Lass. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smiling this big during a game (or ever!). He also got feisty at one point during the game.
Ozi.
Sergio.
Xabi Alonso.
SEVEN. Iker and Marcelo had quite a heated discussion at one point during the first half, after Nsue surprised Madrid and his shot hit the post. Iker scolded Marcelo for letting Nsue advance down his wing, and it was Sergio Ramos who stepped in to mediate by shoving the two apart.
I love that look that Marcelo gives Iker, like he thinks Iker is the silliest person in the world.
EIGHT. The Xabi Alonso pose section.™
In the first half, we had Esteban Granero, and while he was pretty great, he’s no Xabi. But even when Xabi came in, he still didn’t take corners.
Xabi’s various poses throughout the game. He’s so classy even when others are arguing. And I love how he starts barking out directions as soon as he steps onto the field. The only way he could get more perfect is if we somehow found a way to smuggle Nagore out onto the field.
NINE. Postgame stuff – Álvaro Arbeloa hugged his former Depor teammate, Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate.
Meanwhile, Sergio Canales, who, as stated earlier, was seen warming up but didn’t make it into the game, stayed at the Santiago Bernabéu long after everyone else – the crowd, his teammates, even most of the security – had left, to train on his own.
I really hope he gets a chance to shine. He deserves a chance, and not just because we need a Cantabrian to win the Champions League trophy!
TEN. Iker can make even the most mundane of things – swallowing, spitting or raising his eyebrows – look sexy.
ELEVEN. The Mou corner.
Mou, in his postgame press conference, revealed that in regards to getting another forward for the team in the winter transfer market, he doesn’t talk to Jorge Valdano, but rather FP and the general director of marketing, José Ángel Sánchez, but that they haven’t really talked about new signings, even though “we all know that old story about a forward who used to play here.”
There were various signs in support of Mou around the stadium yesterday afternoon, but Mourinho asked that the support be directed towards the team, because “I don’t like individual signs of support nor do I need them, though I am grateful for them.”
He also hugged Rafa’s uncle Mallorca assistant coach Miguel Ángel Nadal after the game.
TWELVE. And another person who appeared to heed Mourinho’s words, besides Karim Benzema, was Álvaro Morata, who scored another goal in Castilla’s 2-0 victory over Celta B yesterday (Mou had said, “Morata needs to score more goals with Castilla”). This was his fourth goal in three games (though Juanfran deserves most of the credit for this one), with Castilla winning all three. Jorge Casado scored the other goal for our chiquitos.
THIRTEEN. Álvaro’s tweets following the game. He said it was a difficult game, that the next time he’ll shoot, and that he’s reading La sangre de los inocentes (by Julia Navarro) and just watched Love and other drugs.
FOURTEEN. Looking ahead, brought to you by Sergio’s secret whispers and Iker’s time-wasting methods.
Madrid started preparing for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semifinal during today’s training session, which took place at 11h behind closed doors.
And Iker travels to Geneva today to be officially named as a UNDP goodwill ambassador. He’ll be accompanied by Emilio Butragueño on the trip.