Just some things to get you through your day…
ONE. Just some quick observations on the players’ outfits after the game against Lyon: Cristiano and Karim are the label lovers, Sergio and Marcelo are the plaid lovers (and there are way too many textures in Sergio’s jacket), Gonzalo would be jealous of Carvalho’s jacket, I don’t like Esteban’s jacket but it’s very him, and Xabi and Iker stay true to their style (in the case of the former, perfect, in the case of the latter, snuggly cardigan and plaid again?).
TWO. Sergio attended Pitingo’s (not Pintingo, as he tweeted) concert last night in Madrid, and he said he had a great time and would recommend it. He also tweeted a photo of him at the event. A Real Madrid photographer must have taken it, because their trademark double thumbs up pose appeared. I like how everyone in the photo is wearing a big colorful and patterned scarf.
Gonzalo Higuaín was also seen at the Coliseum Theater.
THREE. The same day, Sergio – a bit worse dressed – spoke to Radio Marca’s “Intermedio” program.
When asked about José Mourinho, Sergio said that “the Portuguese is doing a good job. The team is excited about accomplishing something important. I have a good relationship with Mourinho, I have the maximum amount of respect for him and there are few managers like him. He’s made me a better player and he’s helping me a lot in correcting the mistakes I may make during the course of a game.” As for Mesut Özil, Sergio said he was “a wonderful signing” and that “Real Madrid has not had a player like him for some time. He could become the best in the world.” And Sergio also commented on Karim Benzema: “he’s changed. Zidane has given him advice and been constantly with him to make sure his adaptation goes well. Right now we’re seeing the best version of Benzema.”
Sergio also talked about his contract renewal: “you never know when I’m going to leave Real Madrid. But I would like it to be during my last year as a footballer and to say goodbye in the Santiago Bernabéu, in front of the fans. I would like to retire here.”
FOUR. And Karim Benzema spoke (skip to the 7:16 mark) to another radio program, Onda Cero’s “Al primer toque.” During his time on the program, he said FP “is like a father” to him and “if I triumph at Real Madrid, it will be thanks to him.” When the presenters commented that he can no longer be considered a “cat,” to quote Mourinho, he joked back, “I’m not a cat, I’m a man… I’m a lion.” Uh-oh, should Peter Lion be concerned???
Speaking of Mou, Karim said that “I talk with him, he supports me and I’m happy with him, better than before.” He also said that he’s feeling great right now and is in his “mejor momento.” And he ran more than nine kilometers during the game vs. Lyon! And Karim said that he’s spoken with Eric Abidal, his national team teammate.
His Spanish has really improved!
FIVE. During the presentation of his new Nike Mercurial Vapor SuperFly III boots (what a fancy name for a pair of boots, no?), Ozi said that he’s “very happy in Madrid,” he gets along “very well” with Sami Khedira whom he describes as “a great teammate,” and that he considers José Mourinho… what else but “special”? After all, he is The Special One. Mesut went on to say that Mou laughs a lot and makes a lot of jokes, and that he texts the players when they’re on national team duty to congratulate them if they win, which he appreciates because it lets him know that Mou is following what he and his teammates are up to.
SIX. Looking ahead to this weekend’s games, in an interview with AS, (future Madrid player?) Dani Parejo, whose Getafe is playing Barcelona this weekend, said, “I’m playing for Getafe, but I personally, as a madridista, would like to help out Madrid.”
SEVEN. As for the derbi madrileño, Mou is keeping his promise of not requiring his team to get together one day before the game. The team will instead be required to be at Valdebebas at 12h on Saturday, where they will leave their cars and board the bus to take them to the Mirasierra Suites. In case you don’t remember, this issue of the concentraciones has been one of those where Mou has remained inflexible, not giving in to the requests from the team to get rid of it for certain games. But on March 9, while the press was watching, Iker and Mourinho gave each other a big hug. Several days later, Iker revealed the reason for it: “the hug was because at last we were able to make him forget about shutting us up in a hotel; before the game against Atlético, no nos concentra.” (I still haven’t found the right word or words in English to express the sentiment of the concentración.)
EIGHT. The dates of next year’s Liga calendar has been decided: the 2011-12 season will begin on Aug. 21 and end on May 13, and there will be four jornadas on Wednesdays. The final of the Copa del Rey will be disputed on May 25 (while the final of the Europa League will be on May 9 and the final of the Champions League on May 19).