A few more Madrid things going in to tonight’s game…
ONE. Maybe Iker Casillas is on to something there, despite all the news reports about how man bags hurt the wearers’ backs… because the majority of the players showed up for the concentración with their phones clutched in their little hands (I’m assuming there’s a phone in the mass of things Manu is holding in his hand), and we all know how easy it is to drop or lose the phone that way. Wait, what am I saying? Is the absence of Iker making me crazy, or am I just too distracted by the perfection of Xabi Alonso? There is no – and never will be – justification for the purse that Iker wears!
As for the fashion choices last night as the players gathered at the stadium, here are some observations. Even if you don’t know anything about this team, you can always pick out the canteranos by the fact that their luggage is from places like Nike or Adidas, not Louis Vuitton or Gucci. And that little tag on Sergio’s hat makes it look like a turban, and that’s not a good look.
Aitor Karanka should do more than coach – he should hold classes on how to dress (for everyone except Xabi, obviously). Manolín is the latest Madrid player to wear a silly hat (maybe it’s an initiation thing?), and Álvaro’s bedazzled sweatshirt is too short and not very attractive.
I have no words to describe Marcelo’s jacket, but expect Pipita to turn up in a black version soon. As for Cristiano’s outfit, at least he’s not in head to toe Gucci anymore! But that huge belt buckle… it could double as a weapon. Tomy borrowed Sergio’s Crackòvia jacket, and apparently the latest trend is to wear a matching hat and jacket. Sergio and Manu did it last night, just like Mesut did earlier in the season. And Jerzy looks like a professor!
TWO. Guti is the newest “signing” of SER sports programs “Carrusel Deportivo” and “El Larguero.” He’ll be a collaborator with both programs, joining the likes of Maldini, Michael Robinson, Santi Cañizares, Julio Salinas… I’m sure it will be interesting! I wonder what else Cadena SER will be doing after losing a massive amount of listener share to COPE?
THREE. Lass spoke to bwin, and this is what he had to say about Manu Adebayor: “we’ve known each other since I was in Arsenal with him, so he’s like my brother, we did many things together before, so it’s normal for me, it’s a pleasure for me to play with him here, so I try to help him as much as I can.”
He looks so much better when he smiles!
Lass also reveals that he doesn’t know which sport he would have chosen to dedicate himself to if he weren’t a footballer, because he’s always had his sights set on playing football. He adds, “I do like basketball, but I think I’m a bit too small to play… I follow many sports, such as tennis and basketball, but to play, only football.” His favorite movie, The Hurricane, is also sports-related.
FOUR. Xabi spoke with La Otra’s “Hora Deportiva” program, where he talked about his two coaches. Of VDB, Xabi said, “I already admired him before, and now that I’ve gotten to know him, a lot more. We view football the same way as midfielders and as a person he’s exceptional.” And as for Mou, Xabi stated, “Mourinho is one of those coaches that helps you become better, which is what everyone wants.” He added that he doesn’t view himself as indispensable, only “important.” And as for the rumors about cliques in the locker room, Xabi says “there are no problems… sometimes you just laugh at the things that are published.”
FIVE. Pedro León and Sergio Canales attended the presentation of Real Madrid’s summer camps – Real Madrid Summer Experience – yesterday at the Bernabéu. I guess those two were chosen because they have a lot of free time on their hands, unfortunately.
SIX. And as stated in an earlier post, Castilla will not be playing this weekend, after Cerro Reyes withdrew from the match. The team was suspended from the division several matchdays ago, for not fielding enough first team players, so for the rest of the games they are to play, the opposite team will be awarded a 2-0 victory. This means that Castilla will prolong their winning streak to seven games. Castilla’s next game is next Sunday, Feb. 27, against Cacereño in the Alfredo di Stéfano.
SEVEN. And finally, a sobering fact to go into tonight’s game with: Levante’s TOTAL salary budget per season is €7 million. That’s less than what Cristiano or Kaká charge alone.