all set for Barcelona (last time this season)!

Love the colors of the shirts!

Madrid trained yesterday afternoon on field number three of Valdebebas, before making their way to Barcelona for tonight’s Champions League semifinals against Barcelona (20:45h). At the training session, the 20 available first team footballers (Gago and Khedira are still injured, while Sergio and Pepe were excused because they are suspended from tonight’s match) were joined by canterano Nacho.

The list of players called up for the game was announced after the session, and 19 footballers made it.  The four injured/suspended players were naturally left off, as were Sergio Canales and Pedro León due to the coach’s decision.

Goalkeepers: Iker, Dudek, Adán.

Defenders: Carvalho, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Albiol, Garay, Nacho.

Midfielders: Granero, Lass, Kaká, Alonso, Di María, Özil.

Forwards: Adebayor, Higuaín, Cristiano, Benzema.

The team then flew to Barcelona, arriving around 19h at El Prat, later than expected as their flight was delayed due to the inclement weather in Madrid.  They then headed to the Juan Carlos I hotel, arriving about five minutes after Athletic’s delegation left for the Cornellà-El Prat.

Meanwhile, over in Switzerland, UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body’s vice president, as the sole judge in the case, rejected the complaints of both Madrid and Barcelona after the first leg game, meaning that no action will be taken on Madrid’s claim of unsportsmanlike behavior from Barcelona.  The decision can be appealed, and Madrid said via a communique that they are studying the possibility of appeal.

With regards to the dismissal of Barcelona’s claims, it’s not because UEFA found them invalid, but because there can’t be two cases alleging the same thing, and since UEFA is already investigating whether José Mourinho made “inadequate declarations” on their own, they invited Barcelona to join their case.  Barcelona said yesterday that they will.  A decision will be handed down on Friday.  Somehow, I’m not surprised.

Aitor Karanka and Karim Benzema spoke to the press from the Camp Nou.  Our assistant coach told journalists that he didn’t agree with UEFA’s decision, saying, “an organization that prides itself on “respect” and “fair play” has not sanctioned players that have no respect, who hurled racist insults, covering their mouths so that no one could see… while two players [Pepe and Sergio] who didn’t do anything will not be on the field.”

(Let me just say that I don’t believe Madrid would accuse Sergio Busquets of racist insults, as they did via the video on their web site, and Aitor Karanka indirectly here, if they didn’t have proof, because it’s a serious allegation with serious ramifications.  Also, Barcelona has been silent on this whole issue and has not responded, when the first thing they would have done if the accusation were false would have been to deny it, as that would severely damage the image of the club, and we know how concerned they are about their image.)

Karanka went on to say that “Madrid was punished for something that wasn’t specified in the rules [the sanctions/fines handed out after the game against Ajax], and now Barcelona has not been punished for something that is in the rule book.  Once more, it’s been shown that there are different standards.”  Aitor also sent out a message: “we are Real Madrid and we’re going to fight until the end, we have 109 years of history and we’ve won nine Champions League cups.”

Karim Benzema was much more brief in his discourse, saying that the team will do everything they can to win and that Cristiano is a great player, and that the team needs a great Cristiano.

In their appearances before the press, Pep Guardiola and Xavi had this to say.  Pep said, in response to a question about the possible racist insult directed at Marcelo by Busquets, “I know my players very well and they’re an example of professionalism and honesty.  Of course they can make mistakes on the field, but as human beings they are examples.”  In regards to another question about the racist comments, Pep said, “if we do something wrong, then UEFA has to decide.  It won’t happen again.”

Let’s break this down.  First up, if Sergio Busquets did insult Marcelo, it cannot be considered a mere mistake.  Busquets KNEW what he was saying, that’s why he covered his mouth.  Second, is Pep indirectly confirming that it did happen, with the mistakes statement?  Then how can he continue believing that one of his players is an “example” as a human being?  I had hoped that Pep wouldn’t stand for it, because it’s not something that a “professional, honest and exemplary” human being would do, but I guess not.  And lastly, “if we do something wrong, then UEFA has to decide.”  Once again, as the “professional, honest and exemplary” human beings that Barcelona claims they are made up of, shouldn’t the club do something about this, regardless of what UEFA does?  If they don’t do anything about it themselves, it’s the same as saying the action is okay.

Meanwhile, Xavi started off his press conference as claiming “I’m not anyone to judge the behavior of Madrid’s coach.”  He then went on to say, “Mourinho is a controversial coach, he’s always been one.”  Sounds like judging to me, Xavi!  In the same response, he also said, “it saddens me to talk about things not related to football.”  However, later on in the press conference, he would speak about Madrid’s complaints to UEFA, which he described as “shameful and pathetic, so it’s logical that UEFA should reject the complaints.”  Xavi also said, “Barcelona has always respected opponents and shown exemplary behavior.”  And before anyone accuses me of bashing Xavi, I’m just reporting what he said, and making some observations.  It’s up to you to judge whether you find his words logical or laughable.

And in news that should put all of this in perspective, our canterano Marcos Alonso (currently on loan to Bolton) was involved in a car accident early yesterday morning in Madrid, which ended up with one person dead.  The night started off with Marcos going out with former canterano Jaime Navarro and Miguel Alonso, and continued until seven in the morning, when the three of them, plus two girls they had just met, left a bar in an old BMW that belonged to Marcos’ grandfather, with Marcos driving.  According to the police, the car was traveling at high speed down a wet road when it suddenly veered from its lane, crossed into the opposite lane, knocked over and collided with a stone barrier.  Of the five people in the car, one was severely injured (one of the girls, who later died at a hospital.  She had not been wearing a seat belt), two seriously injured, one less seriously and one slightly (Marcos).  Two remain hospitalized (the other girl and Miguel, who are recovering favorably), while Jaime was released from after being treated for a fracture to his clavicle.

An alcohol test administered at the scene showed a 0.45 for Marcos (anything above a 0.25 is positive), but he asked for a blood test, saying that he had not been drinking that much.  He also broke down at the scene and had to be attended to by psychologists.  He spent the day making declarations to the police, and also went to court to respond to four charges: one for endangering road safety, one for drunk driving, one for unintentional homicide and one for injuring others.  His driver’s license has also been revoked.  The lessons here: wear a seat belt, and drinking and driving do not ever mix.

To avoid ending on a somber note, here are some other, more upbeat news.

According to Marca, José Mourinho has donated €600,000 to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  He asked that this information not be publicized, but I guess someone found out!  What a grand gesture.

Steve McManaman, one of the goalscorers in Madrid’s 2-0 victory against Barcelona in the semis of the 2001-02 edition of the Champions League at the Camp Nou, spoke to AS.

We get an update on his life (he lives in Manchester with wife Victoria and their two daughters, works as a commentator for ESPN and even does programs in Spanish, and spends a lot of time in Spain, concretely Mallorca).  Macca also says that he watches Madrid every week, that he doesn’t understand why people in Spain dislike Cristiano and Mourinho, because “in England, everyone loves them,” and that what he likes most about Madrid is “Özil, the atmosphere, the stadium and the white shirts.  I adore everything about Real Madrid.  Xabi is also a phenomenon.  I also like the captain, Casillas.  When I played, he was just a baby.  And now he’s the captain of Spain, it’s incredible.”

Macca is also asked about that 2001-02 game, and he says, “what memories!  It was an unforgettable night.  We played in Barcelona and Zidane scored, and then I did.  I will never forget it.  It was as important a goal as the one I scored in the final in Paris (to bring home La Octava).  Then we tied at home and we were in the final in Glasgow.  Everyone knows what happened after that: La Novena.”

Meanwhile, over in Castilla, Denis tweeted yesterday “in love with Álvaro Morata, thanks!” after MFC dedicated his goal against Badajoz to Denis.  Right after that, Denis clarified, “in order not to create controversies, I’ll just say that we have a great friendship.”

Congrats to David Mateos, who won the Greek Cup this past weekend with AEK Athens, although he didn’t play in the final.  As he also participated in Madrid’s Copa del Rey campaign, he’s a double cup winner!

And I’ve also updated this post (see point three) with more footage from the note passing!