Well, this just about makes up for the lack of news coming out of Valdebebas due to the international break, no?
ONE. Valdebebas was the scene of a “pachanga” yesterday after the training session, as a team made up of Real Madrid employees (coaches including Mou and his entire staff of Karanka, Silvino, Rui Faria and José Morais; equipment managers; physios; press officers, including Óscar Ribot) took on a team made up of journalists who cover Real Madrid. José Mourinho managed to both coach and play in the goal for his team at the same time (it seems he had a bit of trouble getting the ball though), even though his side was “officially” coached by Chendo (a good choice, since we know that Chendo is the only man who stands up to Mou). Sitting next to Chendo on a cooler were Pipita and Adán, who had a great time, heckling, it appears. I hope Gonzalo was shouting the things Mou normally yells at him during games.
Uh-oh, that ball is going to get a “cruz” next to it in Mou’s notebook and be dead to him!
José Morais scored the first goal with a spectacular play, and the first half ended 1-0. In the second, the tie came after a penalty. Mou had actually signaled for a penalty AGAINST his team, correcting the decision of the referee, and then couldn’t stop it, making it 1-1. Mou then decided to let Silvino take over the goal, while he tried his luck as a forward. And he was a great one too, because any time he was touched, even slightly, he fell to the ground, calling for a foul or penalty. The game ended 2-3, with the win going to the press, as they converted two penalties (Silvino scored Madrid’s other goal), leading them to boast that at last that someone had ended Mou’s home win streak of nine years. Jajaja!!! Because of that, Mou subsequently “fired” Chendo and told the press that for the next game, they’ll recruit Zidane, Pardeza, Butragueño… Aitor Karanka was the best out of Team Madrid, playing in his position of central defender. This is the first time the press has been allowed to go onto the field where the first team normally trains.
Mou was the clear star attraction, no?
TWO. The earlier training session was behind closed doors, and even though the two Germans were back in Madrid, having been excused from today’s friendly, they didn’t go to Valdebebas join the rest of their teammates. Marcelo was at Valdebebas, but he didn’t train. Doctors at Sanitas diagnosed him with a deep bruise in his ribs, which make him doubtful for this weekend’s game (if there is one, that is).
THREE. In an interview with L’Equipe, Mou of course was asked about Karim Benzema. His response was, “Karim is no longer a good boy, he’s a man. He can be multifunctional on the field, and I like these types of players. He’s earned the right to fail occasionally in front of the goal, but not the right to lose concentration, aggressiveness, or interest in participating in the play of the team.”
We also found out that Mou likes to help his kids with their homework (hopefully, he just helps and doesn’t coach, no?) and have coffee with his wife: “we want to be a normal family. Having what is called a normal life is important, although it’s hard. For us, it’s impossible to go to the beach in summer, to go shopping or to watch my son play football.” But he did do that, last weekend when Canillas with JMJ in goal won their division!
FOUR. Esteban Granero, the poster boy of the Real Madrid Foundation (he’s their ambassador), attended an act yesterday at the Bernabéu to open social integration schools in Andalucía. The first center will be inaugurated in September in Baza (Granada), which is special for El Pirata because “it will be in the town where my parents grew up.”
FIVE. Hopefully this will become the norm. According to El País, the referee, Enrique Manuel Como, suspended a regional game in Extremadura between La Cumbre and Navalmoral in the 73rd minute due to racist insults from the crowd directed at Navalmoral’s two Moroccan players, Akram and Mohamed. Akram had tried to leave the field, but the referee decided to suspend the game instead. Navalmoral’s president said that the insults came from one entire section of the stadium, and congratulated the referee because “it’s not an isolated incident and it’s the sixth or seventh time” that it’s happened to the team. Therefore, he was happy to have found a “brave referee who suspended the game for this reason” and he hopes the other team will be sanctioned. A worrying note: the referee had to hide out in the locker room with the players until the Guardia Civil arrived.
Nevertheless, gracias Enrique Manuel Como.
SIX. The “making off” video of Iker’s Reebok Zigtech ad. Ignore him lifting up his shoe as it it were the World Cup, and it’s perfect. Just like his profile.
SEVEN. Speaking of goalkeepers, be sure to check out these adorable videos of Claudia Codina (Jordi’s daughter) practicing her moves. I love how she went “papá” before one of them. Here and here.
EIGHT. And just a note regarding the previous post, the section on reader Isabella’s impressions of the players. What she wrote is just her opinion from her meetings with the players; I certainly don’t agree with her in some of the instances. I know many people who have different impressions of the players from their own experiences – and I do too as well – so take it with a grain of salt, because it’s not indicative of the whole picture. Everyone has both good and bad sides (with the exception of Iker’s profile of course, since it’s perfect from any side). Unless you spend a lot of time with these guys, you’re never going to get to know them from short meetings.
If anyone is offended by what was written, tell me and I’ll either edit or remove the offending parts.