In case you missed it – Real Madrid vs. Barcelona pre-game [2011-04-16, Liga jornada 32, 1-1]. Warning: lots and lots and lots of Iker inside.
Given that this was one of the biggest games of the year, the media coverage was quite extensive, to say the least, with La Sexta providing both pre-game and postgame coverage. So, I’m dividing up the ICYMI posts. I’ll try and have the main game one done tomorrow.
ONE. The Bernabéu is in one word, impresionante (even while empty). The feeling you get when you enter and see the vast expanse of the field is comparable to nothing else. I highly recommend it to everyone!
TWO. As I mentioned in the preview post yesterday, the team planned to display a mosaic of the escudo, the big banner with the team’s battle cry and white flags. The results were spectacular, and the fans really were pushing their team the entire time during the game.
Before and after. It’s so beautiful.
We are fighting until the end, go Real!
THREE. In the hours prior to the game, we saw maintenance workers polishing the goal posts…
… the joined-at-the-hips Argentine duo of Pipa and Eze check out the field…
… and the best ambassador we have, Zinedine Zidane, greeting the refereeing team as they arrived for the game.
FOUR. Then Barcelona arrived. While I am a Nike girl, I can’t say I like the pink jackets and green/blue striped shirts that Barcelona wears. I’m sorry, but they’re just ugly, especially together.
FIVE. Iker chatted with Peter Lion – in street clothes because he wasn’t called up for this game – as he waited to go out onto the field to begin warming up.
Iker looked quite pensive the entire time.
He also touched himself. Iker is best viewed in slow motion.
SIX. The three goalkeepers were the first players out onto the field to begin warming up, doing their specific goalkeeping exercises with Silvino.
They were followed by the Barcelona players, and then Real Madrid’s players. Sergio’s not bad in slow motion either. I like the unkempt hair.
SEVEN. As part of La Sexta’s coverage, they aired an interview with Raúl Albiol, in which he was asked to describe some of his teammates in a few words (there was also a Karim Benzema interview, where he talked about his idol Ronaldo). Here are El Chori’s hilarious answers – I’m guessing you will know which ones I find extremely funny.
Albiol – simple. Iker – humble. Arbeloa – annoying. Sergio – Sergio Ramos (laughs)… very fun. Marcelo – uffff, he imitates people well. Pepe – Pepe… a very good guy, despite what people on the outside think. Xabi – serious and very intelligent. Ozi – he never knows what’s going on. Khedira – the same as him (Ozi), they’re the same. Cristiano – very hardworking. Di María – he flies, he runs a lot, a very nice guy. Higuaín – ufff, he talks a lot, very talkative. Benzema – very silent, the opposite of Higuaín, very timid, very reserved. Mourinho – very demanding.
EIGHT. And then came time for the players to line up in the tunnels. As Sergio and Cristiano walked by, they greeted each of their teammates, while Raúl Albiol grinned and laughed at something.
Meanwhile, the Brazilians were trying to hold a conversation through the little holes in the wall. First it was Marcelo and Dani Alves, and then Kaká with Dani and Adriano. Raúl Albiol stretched.
Kaká went off, only to return to give his namesake this epic hug. Love how the Rickys rested their heads on each other’s shoulder! Eric Abidal and Manu Adebayor were the last ones out, as they were having a great conversation in the tunnel.
And José Mourinho walked out onto the field with his arm wrapped around the field delegate, Agustín Herrerín, as Piqué spied on them.
NINE. In the meantime, Pep Guardiola decided to try the Marcelo method of opening a bottle.
TEN. Finally, it was time to enter onto the field. The two capitanes – and national team teammates and old friends – greeted each other as they came out…
… as did the components of La Roja. These are my favorite type of moments! Iker and Puyi gave each other another hug after doing the coin toss.
ELEVEN. Love the jumping, and how someone (read: Cristiano) ran off before the photo was taken and had to return.
TWELVE. More old friends. Both Xavi and Puyi greeted Chendo as they arrived at the Bernabéu, and Álvaro Arbeloa also popped out to say hi to Xavi and Puyi. Meanwhile, Fabio Capello spotted Iker and gave him a hug.
BONUS: See, I told you there was a lot of Iker. I could stare at him here all day.
