bits & pieces

The latest in the sometimes crazy world of Real Madrid…

Some more pictures from Wednesday’s tennis action.  Cris’ jeans have something special on the back of them (you know that he would never wear regular, run of the mill jeans), while Xabi had to tell the bored Jon to be quiet, which he does in such a boss way.  Everyone behind them is looking on, trying to get pointers.  Thanks to reader asglass for that picture of bored Jon!  What a pout he has!

And yesterday, Sergio Canales tweeted that he was watching Andy Murray play, and so here he is, along with David de Gea and Edurne.

Meanwhile, MFC announced another Castilla incorporation into the world of twitter, Pablo Sarabia!  A little snooping investigation and you can find some pictures of him and his girlfriend – look for one of them sitting next to the estanque at the Retiro park.  In the meantime, here’s a twitpic from MFC ABMM today.

A video of the boys returning to work yesterday.  Esteban Granero’s Porsche needs a wash.  And why does Raúl Albiol’s neck look so long?  Today’s training session will take place in the afternoon, at 16:30h, and Aitor Karanka will be the one speaking to the press after before the team travels to Sergio Ramos’ beloved city at 18h.

Some news on Madrid’s summer plans, from Marca: the team will spend two weeks in Los Angeles, staying at the same place they did last year (the Beverly Hills Hotel) and using the same training grounds (UCLA).  The dates are not set yet, but it looks like they will be July 11-24.  This year, the team will in principle receive five weeks of vacation, though that will depend on what friendlies Madrid plays once the season is over and the commitments of the internationals.  The 2011-12 pre-season in Madrid on July 4.

Five summer friendlies have been scheduled: July 16 vs. the Galaxy in Los Angeles, July 20 vs. Chivas in San Diego, July 27 vs. Hertha in Berlin, Aug. 3 vs. Guangzhou Evergrande in Guangzhou and Aug. 6 vs. Tianjin in Tianjin.  In addition, the Supercopa against Barcelona will be played on Aug. 14 and 17 (home and away), with the Liga starting on the weekend of Aug. 20-21.  Madrid is looking for one other rival to play while in the United States.

Update: this makes total sense, no?  Reader Shay informs us that Schalke will be Madrid’s opponent in the Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu in early August.  I don’t think I can handle Raúl back in the Bernabéu in the kit of another team.  I will probably start crying the moment I see him.  And I’m getting goosebumps even now just thinking about how we will greet him.

UEFA’s decision regarding possible sanctions against Real Madrid will be handed down this afternoon.  José Mourinho, who is accused of basically speaking his mind and expressing his feelings, albeit in not the most gentlemanly way, could be handed a four to seven-game suspension as a punishment.  UEFA is also studying the following events during the Champions League first leg game: the throwing of objects, Pepe’s red card, Mou’s expulsion and the pitch invasion.  No doubt UEFA will come down hard on us.  And will they investigate the second leg game for some of the same occurrences?

The Control and Disciplinary Body may also study Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo’s gestures and declarations during and after the second leg game, for expressing that the team was “robbed.”  Iker had touched his face before the cameras (even as I write that, I find it so ridiculous that these gestures could be punished), and said after the game, “the expulsion of Pepe and the annulled goal of Higuaín… it was impossible.  The referees killed us.”  For his part, Cris described the game as “Mission Impossible IV,” and added that “we knew that if we scored, they were going to do everything to make sure we wouldn’t advance.  It will be better next season if they just give Barcelona the cup directly…”  And, at the airport, he made gestures, once again before the cameras – gasp! – which some interpreted as meaning that Madrid was robbed of the game.  They could be suspended for up to three games and fined.  The justification for this was also used to sanction Xabi, Sergio, Dudek, Mou and Iker after the Ajax game.

UEFA also announced yesterday that they had received Madrid’s appeal against their decision to turn down the club’s complaints about repeated unsporting behavior from six Barcelona players (Alves, Pedro, Busquets, Keita, Valdés and Mascherano) during the first leg of the Champions League semifinals.  They said their Control and Disciplinary Body would study it on May 16.

When asked if he’d accept Real Madrid naming him as a “socio de honor,” Vicente del Bosque’s response was “we’ll see.”  That’s what he told radio program “Al primer toque” last night, because he believes that the gesture is more due to obligation than out of good faith.  If he chooses not to accept, I’d understand.

And some non-first (football) team events to keep an eye on.  Mucha suerte to all our teams!

– today, Rubén de la Red’s (with all due respect for Tristán Celador) Juvenil A plays Racing in the semifinals of the Champions Cup of the División de Honor Juvenil (12:30h) in Lepe (Huelva, Andalucía).  If they win, they’ll move to the final against the winner of the Barcelona-UD Las Palmas game on Saturday.  Madrid had beaten Villarreal 5-1 on Wednesday.  The tournament is made up of the teams crowned the champions of the seven groups of the division.

UPDATE: Madrid beat Sporting 1-0 behind a goal from Rubén Sobrino and will face Barcelona – not another clásico!  Win this one for el escudo, boys! – on Saturday at 20h for the trophy.

– and Real Madrid basketball plays Maccabi Electra in the Euroleague Final Four semifinal game tonight (21h) in Barcelona.  If Madrid wins, they’ll move on to the final on Sunday to face the winner of the Panathinaikos-Montepaschi Siena game.