all set for Hertha!

Our boys traveled to Berlin today, to take on Hertha in their fourth friendly of the pre-season, after the three in the United States (the unlucky people in Madrid have to wait for about three more weeks before getting to see their beloved Real Madrid play, but then again, the game is the first leg of the Supercopa de España against Barcelona).

On the way to Germany, Iker posted this adorable photo of him and Mesut Özil, and probably got Ozi or Sami Khedira’s help to post a message in German: “gegenüber deutschem Boden!” which Iker’s favorite (and overused) Google Translate tells me means “over German soil.”

The team was cited to be at Valdebebas at 08:30h in the morning to begin today’s road trip to Berlin, which will culminate with the friendly against Hertha at 18h in the Olympic Stadium.  After a three hour flight, the 2o players called up for this game and the rest of the expedition arrived in Berlin around noon.

I love how Álvaro is carrying a book!  Who’s going to ask him via twitter what book he’s reading?

Everyone received a little stuffed bear (as the bear is a symbol of the city) as they walked from the plane to the bus.  I love how Cris used his to nuzzle Karim Benzema, although Karim didn’t look too happy… Fabio Coentrão and Chendo could be seen later on with the bears still in hand.  A gift for their kids, perhaps?

The team then headed to the Ritz Carlton hotel, where they rested and partook in an autograph session.

What happened to Iker’s hair?  Why is it so flat?  And why can’t he use a Real Madrid backpack like the other boys, instead of his own, questionable though better than the purse, backpack?  And maybe he should hang out more with Marcelo Sunshine – he might get a tan in the process.

At the session, Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira were of course the most sought-after players.  And I loved that someone even asked them to autograph the old jersey with Siemens as a sponsor – another German connection!  Meanwhile, Raúl Albiol, Xabi and Iker were looking quite boss in their white shirts, although the stripes kind of make them look like they’re in the navy or something.  Yes sir, Captain Alonso, right away sir!

Zinedine Zidane didn’t travel with the team, perhaps because the site of the game holds a bit of morbo for him – the Olympic Stadium is where he played his last game as a professional, during the 2006 World Cup final between France and Italy, which is of course known for that headbutt to Marco Materazzi.  FP did not travel either, so the club is represented in Germany by Emilio Butragueño (who arrived carrying huge bags of Real Madrid merchandise) and vice president Eduardo Fernández de Blas.

And yes, Kun is going to be a Manchester City player!  Yay!  End of that “Kunlebrón,” ¡por fin!