Madrid begins preparations for this weekend’s Liga game against Athletic today! I’m súper excited for this game; I think you know why (!!!)! But in the meantime, news items!
ONE. I like to err on the side of caution, but imagine this. Both Madrid’s 4-0 win on Tuesday night and Barcelona’s 5-1 win last night in the Champions League mean that the two teams will, save spectacular collapses, qualify for the semifinals of the competition. That would lead to four clásicos in 18 days. On April 16, we have jornada 32 of the Liga. Four days later on April 20, the final of the Copa del Rey. If Madrid and Barcelona both advance, then the semifinals of the CL will be played on April 27 and May 3, with Madrid at home for the first leg.
There is also a possibility of another match-up (assuming we’re all still alive at that point), because the Spanish Supercopa will pit the Liga champion against the Copa del Rey champion, and in the case that they’re the same team, against the Copa runner-up. The Supercopa is two-leg contest.
TWO. Some Champions League data: Madrid is tied with Barcelona as the top goalscoring team of the tournament, with 23 goals (that’s 2.5 per game), and have taken the most number of shots at goal, 78. They’ve also allowed the second fewest number of goals, three, after Manchester United, and have not allowed any goals at home, thanks to the wonderful work of all three of our goalkeepers.
THREE. Karim Benzema has recovered from his left thigh injury and will train with the team today. That means that Mou will be able to count on three of his forwards for the game in San Mamés, Higuaín, Benzema and Adebayor, as Cristiano will most likely be rested. It’s also likely that he will rotate his team, to give Marcelo and possibly Carvalho a break as well, with Arbeloa and Albiol coming in for them, respectively. That’s both good and bad news, because, as you know, a Madrid-Athletic game is the ideal event for me to charge the field after the game, and Álvaro “Robocop” Arbeloa is definitely on my list of shirts to rip off, although I would like Cris to be there as well when that offensive takes place.
FOUR. According to Marca, José Mourinho prohibited Sergio Ramos from presenting an award to David Bisbal on Monday. On that night, Sergio was staying at the Mirasierra Suites with the rest of his team, preparing for the game against Tottenham. At the same time and the same place, a press group was handing out their annual “Naranja y Limón” awards (orange and lemon, with the orange award given to the nicest public person and the lemon given to the most “sour” one). Bisbal had won the orange award that year, and he wanted an athlete to present it to him. Rafa Nadal and Alberto Contador had prior commitments, so Sergio was the chosen one. He wanted to do it, but Mou wouldn’t let him, as those types of things are prohibited during the concentraciones, and because it was scheduled at the same time as his technical talk with the players! Also considered was what kind of image would be presented if the second captain took the time to do something like before an all-important game.
FIVE. In an interview with AS, Manolito Adebayor said that he’s “very, but very happy with how things unfolded against Tottenham. I’m happy for how the team did and what I did as well. What happened on Saturday against Sporting was a tough blow and on Tuesday we said to each other, ‘we’re here and we’re going to fight.'” He also said that he doesn’t read the Spanish press because his language skills are not up to par yet, and that he would like to stay, but that’s up to the club.
SIX. And if you’re wondering why Kaká is walking around with stubble on his face, quite unusual for him, it’s because he’s renegotiating his contract with Gillette.
SEVEN. A wonderful gesture from Antonio Adán: he has donated sports equipment to an initiative created by fans of Rayo Vallecano, which will be sold or auctioned off in order to help out the Madrid team. Rayo’s owner Nueva Rumasa is facing bankruptcy, and their players and staff haven’t been paid in months, despite sitting atop the table of the second division. The club is struggling to pay many expenses, ranging from equipment to the team bus. Many footballers have tweeted or expressed their support for the team.
EIGHT. Castilla retook their team photo yesterday, as they changed coaches mid-season. Thus, the players, Alberto Toril, Jorge Valdano and Miguel Pardeza were photographed together.
NINE. The next Real… interview will be Marcelo! The program will air tomorrow at 18h.