In case you missed it – Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad [2011-02-06, Liga jornada 21].
Well, this game certainly helped to relieve the pain we all felt after last week’s Liga game. Cristiano found the back of the goal again, and Madrid won back the affection of the fans, as did Kaká, with his early goal. It’s good therapy, no?
ONE. Pregame rituals. These almost have a sort of hidden camera thing going, no? Xabi dances around and then pulls a disappearing act, while Cristiano just pulls on his shirt. I didn’t think it was possible for him to wear a shirt that was too tight, but I guess it was! And though you can’t see his head, Kaká was obviously staring at Cris the entire time.
TWO. The starting line-up was quite unusual, as we saw the inclusion of Eze Garay, Kaká and Adebayor, with Khedira, Benzema and Ángel di María watching the game from the bench. Poor Karim looks a bit sad.
THREE. The players wore black armbands (Iker wore white) as a sign of respect for Antonio Mezquita, who passed away Sunday morning. Castilla and Real Madrid C did the same, and also observed a moment of silence before their games. I think that’s something the first team should have done as well, because Iker Casillas wouldn’t be in the photo below (and Esteban Granero wouldn’t be on the bench) if it weren’t for Antonio Mezquita.
FOUR. The goals. When it rains, it pours.
Kaká started off the four-goal night with this beauty in the eighth minute. He celebrated by forming “CC” with his hands for wife Caroline Celico.
Cris continued the goal fest, and no one was happier for him than his two partners in crime, Kaká and Marcelo. I love how Marcelo looks like a little kid, content with hugging the back of papá. Cris dedicated his goal to his son, while Mou wasn’t impressed at all. I like how Karanka claps, then realizes that Mou didn’t react, so he pretends that his main purpose in moving his hands was to smooth back his hair. And Rui Faria’s delayed reaction.
Before the first half was over, Cristiano had scored another goal, this time off a header. He was very excited about it.
And Emmanuel Adebayor closed out the night with Madrid’s fourth goal in the 89th minute. Let’s hope he doesn’t only score at the end of the games! I loved the little celebration he and Marcelo had, which included a fake out high five. I wished they had danced though.
Madrid actually scored FIVE goals last night, because Real Sociedad’s goal came off an Arbeloa own goal. I love Xabi’s little tantrum right after, and Iker’s reaction. Puta madre indeed. Pobrecito.
FIVE. There is something strangely fascinating about watching Cristiano Ronaldo breathe. And I love how he says “no.”
Do you like to be separated from Kaká? Would you ever wear non-designer labels? Is the CR7 line pretty? Is there any hair gel left in the locker room?
SIX. After the game, Emmanuel → Manu → Manolo → Manolito was asked how his Spanish was coming along, and he answered – in castellano – “poco a poco amigo. Es un poco difícil, pero voy poco a poco” (little by little, friend. It’s a bit difficult, but I’m coming along little by little.” Good for him!
It was great seeing Sergio Canales playing again, and he was received with applause when he checked in, something he was thankful for after the game: “I’m very happy with the reception the Bernabéu gave me, which showed me that they have affection for me and that’s very important for me… I want to continue working and trying to participate more with this team. I enjoy playing with Real Madrid a lot.” Sergio C. also revealed what Mou’s instructions for him had been: “he told me to stay calm, and he wanted all of us to play at the same pace to score another goal.” Well, mission accomplished then! Sergio also told COPE that he didn’t want to leave in the winter transfer market, despite all the rumors saying otherwise.
He has such a cute little face.
SEVEN. During the game, the Ultra Sur exhibited two signs. The first read, “Al contrario de vosotros, nosotros estamos con las víctimas” (unlike you all, we support the victims). This was in allusion to the participation of eight Real Sociedad players in a march for jailed ETA (the terrorist group) members one month ago. Several minutes later, out came this sign: “¿El Kun Agüero? Ni regalado” (Kun Agüero? We don’t even want him as a gift!). Normally, I don’t condone a lot of what the Ultras do, but in this case, I agree with both signs.
EIGHT. The Xabi Alonso school of defense.
Lesson one: get up close and personal with the man you are defending, especially when it’s Raúl Tamudo, who has a history of scoring against Madrid.
Lesson two: when all else fails, just shove your man out of bounds.
Ricardo Carvalho obviously graduated summa cum laude, as he’s observing lesson one perfectly in his defense of Xabi Prieto (another person with a penchant for scoring against Madrid).
NINE. Fun moments with Kaká and Ozi spreading their arms out wide.
TEN. The man with the perfect profile made a great save – “la segunda parada del siglo” according to COPE, with the first one obviously being the one against Sevilla last year. And Iker showed again why base layers should be banned, banned, banned.
ELEVEN. What did Cristiano have in his bag of tricks last night? An espaldinha and a taconazo. Not Xabi shabby at all.
TWELVE. The Xabi Alonso pose section.™
Xabi’s back to posing while doing corners!
The two Xabis (Alonso and Prieto) are good friends, as Prieto said in an interview several days before this game. They hugged it out at the end, along with Jon Ansotegi.
THIRTEEN. These two players know how to sub out in style! Ricardo Carvalho clapped, blew a kiss, waved and did a thumbs-up all in about four seconds. He must have had family there because he was waving like crazy during the team photo before the game too. Meanwhile, Mesut was concerned about his hair. First, he smoothed it back with his left hand and when that wasn’t enough to keep it back, he used his right hand.
FOURTEEN. Front and back.™
El Chori.
The sort of birthday boy.
Eze Garay.
Marcelino and his Vicks mess.
FIFTEEN. The Mou corner.
After the game, Mou said “we’re here to end in first place, but if we end second, there’s nothing wrong with that. The important thing is not to give anything away. If we play our part and we end second, we will go on vacation with our heads held high.” Amen.
When asked if he thought Cristiano was going through a dry spell, he didn’t even let the reporter finish the question, saying “NO!” immediately (Papá Mou defending Cristiano again?). He continued, “no way. I’ll tell you all what I told my players. I don’t have one thing for my players and another thing for the press. And what I told CR was that even if you don’t score another goal from now until the end of the season, your year will have been fantastic.” He went on to say – in vintage Mou style – “in addition, everyone has Cristiano in their sights. Since he’s 1.85 meters tall and strong, it appears that he can take anything they give to him. Meanwhile, there are others that the rivals are afraid of touching (referring to Messi). Cristiano is a beast.”
With regards to the actual game and its unusual starting line-up, Mou remarked, “it’s the same old story. If I make rotations and we don’t win, you all will think I’m irresponsible and that I’m gifting the championship to our adversaries. If I play with the usual line-up, then I’m irresponsible because I give too many minutes to some people. When the minutes are spread out like they are today, you ask me why Canales played so few minutes. In this club – actually it would be better to say with the press – it’s always like this.” I love him!
Mou also praised the niño Mesut Özil, saying, “he’s fantastic, Madrid has a player for 10 years and he’s won everyone over.” He also said he was content with Adebayor, that Lass is a starter, that the return of Marcelo was positive and that Kaká played a very good hour.
And when asked if La Real had made it easy for them, Mou replied,
Are you seriously asking me this? Do you really work for Real Madrid TV? Are you sure? You shouldn’t be (the journalists have to identify what media outlet they work for before asking questions).
JAJAJA!!!
Meanwhile, Mou’s neck muffler lasted five minutes yesterday. After five minutes, it was gone. I wonder what it did to offend Mou?
And Zinedine Zidane told French TV program Téléfoot that he speaks with Mou every day when he’s in Madrid, because he’s interested in what he can contribute and what Mou is thinking of.
SEVENTEEN. Meanwhile, Castilla continued their excellent winning streak when they beat Pontevedra 2-0 behind two goals from Pablo Sarabia to win their fifth game in a row. However, MFC Álvaro Borja Morata Martín’s scoring streak ended at four games. Castilla is now third in Group 1 of Second Division B.
EIGHTEEN. Looking ahead: the team will enjoy two days off before resuming training on Wednesday. However, 15 of the players will be on national team duty and won’t be back until Thursday.