In case you missed it – Real Madrid vs. Guadalajara [2011-07-20, pre-season friendly, 3-0].
Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals in ten minutes in the second half to push Madrid past Guadalajara, with Madrid improving as the game went on.
ONE. But what thrilled me as much as the victory was this picture of Kaká and Cris holding hands, and the look of love they’re giving each other. The bromance is back!
TWO. Cris’ third goal came off of some great passing, and it looks like he’s keeping the same goal celebration for now, the tribute to his son.
Cristiano was satisfied with his three goals, although he preferred to talk about the work of his new teammates after the game, instead of his hat trick. He said, “three goals in 10 minutes? Yes, that’s great… but we have to continue working hard to start the season out well. The game was a good test and I’m happy because we won. The new players are surprising me, they’re doing really well.”
THREE. Marcelo started the game as captain. I love this photo. Mesut looks pissed, Karim has a silly grin on his face, Esteban’s not paying attention, nor is Rafa, who’s more interested in Antonio’s face, Cris got snapped in the middle of saying something, while Álvaro looks a bit too happy to be gripping Marcelo and Fábio’s thighs (who can blame him?). And why are Fábio’s shorts so large?
FOUR. The captain’s armband went back to Iker when he came in for Antonio Adán at the half. He was back to his bossy self in no time, directing his defense.
FIVE. Papá, it was that guy who tried to steal my toy. Do something!
SIX. Gratuitous ogling of our canteranos – Jesé putting on his shirt and Nacho’s cute little backside. Jesé does a good job of keeping stoic with Mou yelling in his face, no?
SEVEN. I wonder if Fábio saw Madrid’s new kits this season and decided to sign for Madrid, because he knew his hair would go so well with the shirts?
EIGHT. It looks like Cris may have picked up a few tips from Caín Velázquez. He was rewarded with a yellow card for his efforts, which he sarcastically applauded and gave the thumbs up to (the Real Madrid photographer must have been standing on the sideline).
NINE. Yes, the shirts and shorts were quite transparent.
TEN. All the elegance and class was on the bench, with both Xabi and Zinedine sitting there. Their sidekicks, Raúl Albiol and Marcelo, provided the laughter.
ELEVEN. At one point in the first half, Marcelo used his heel to flick the ball, and Mou was not pleased. He waited until the ball went out of bounds before scolding Marcelo harshly for the action.
TWELVE. The announcer at the stadium obviously didn’t do his homework beforehand. He called Arbeloa “Ar-be-ola,” Coentrão “Centrao” (at least he didn’t call him Cointreau), announced that Khedira would be starting (which would be hard, considering he was left behind in Los Angeles with Nuri Sahin and Sergio Ramos) and mixed Joselu up with Jesé.
THIRTEEN. The boys prior to the game. In case you’re wondering, many of the players are currently sporting Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. The majority have shown their true colors, preferring the white ones.
FOURTEEN. The Xabi Alonso pose section.™
Yes, this is it, since Xabi didn’t play…
… so here’s some XIT, who did an admirable job of filling in as Madrid’s resident model on the pitch.
FIFTEEN. The Mou corner.
Mou had a relatively calm game on the sidelines.
In his postgame press conference, Mou said regarding Fábio Coentrão, “Fábio is here because he can play in many positions. Obviously, I wasn’t going to ask Florentino and José Ángel to spend 25 million buying competition for Marcelo.” He also said Xabi’s problems are not an injury, that Khedira’s is a “small thing” and if Sahin, Khedira and Xabi don’t play, well there’s Granero, Coentrão and even Pepe. In addition, “Varane has also told me that he’s played as a midfielder.” Mou added that “we have the team that we want to have.” Good.
