As much as I hate to push shirtless Javi (!!!) down the page, it is time to start catching up, no? I left you all hanging right before the Copa del Rey round of eight ida game against Barcelona and in hindsight, it didn’t matter because that game is much better if it’s forgotten. This game saw Mou use an unprecedented line-up, with quite a few oddities. Ricardo Carvalho started the game, despite not playing a single minute since the end of September. Another surprise starter was Hamit Altintop. And the result? Well, Madrid played quite terribly. Despite that, there were of course some fun moments, my favorite kind!
Jan. 18 – Real Madrid vs. Barcelona.
The bad football was overshadowed by an incident when the ball wasn’t in play – Pepe stepping on Messi’s hand. During the game, Pepe had also done some bad acting, which was already despicable enough and should be left for certain other teams to do, since they’re so much better at it.
Santiago Bernabéu once said following the aggression of one player on another, “the shirt of Madrid can be stained with sweat, with mud, even with blood, but it can’t be stained with shame.” Many years later, those words are still very much true, and it was particularly applicable to this game, on quite a few levels. I’m very, very disappointed with Pepe.
But since I’m the kind of person who prefers to be optimistic and not dwell on the bad things, here are the highlights of the game. It had all started out so well. Our boys were looking fantastic as they warmed up, and adorable as they waited in the tunnel for the signal to go out onto the field, with Sergio doling out the kisses and high-fives (if he has any spare ones, I’d love for him to send a few my way).
Meanwhile, on the bench, Kaká tried to take a seat, but El Chori, El Pirata and Calleti wouldn’t let him pass by. Adorable! One row ahead, Antonio Adán looked on Calleti stroked Marcelo’s neck. Marcelo was also left impressed by the atmosphere at the best stadium in the world.
The only good thing about the game was that Cristiano made peace with the Bernabéu, and they applauded him on several occasions, and not just for his goal, which he celebrated with Kaká and Marcelo. I guess Cris wasn’t that bored or tired after all, as he appeared before the game!
I was left disappointed that there was no dancing.
I love flying Iker! And slow motion makes it that much more fun! The Barcelona goals devastated Iker, and my heart went out to him. But few people look this good in defeat, no?
Ricardo Carvalho showed up in this monstrosity after the game. It looks like he has a brunette sheep draped over his shoulders. Not a good look.
At the post-game press conference, José Mourinho said, “wins have many parents, but defeats only have one father and that is me.” He also said, “I understand el madridismo, and they may be angry. But I don’t listen to them. The responsibilities are mine, especially when my team loses.” Note to Mou: el madridismo is what makes the club what it is. Without it, there would be no club.
He also praised Cristiano, for being “the best one on our team,” Carvalho and Altintop for “playing very well,” and Pepe for his “great work,” though he added that if he acted intentionally in any way, then obviously it’s reprehensible.
The Xabi Alonso pose section.™
Here are a couple of reasons why Xabi is the bossest person out there. Look at the stares he gives Busquets and Cesc when they try and get a piece of him. One look says it all – you’re not worth it. And they really aren’t.
It was hard to see frustrated Xabi though, although we did get some good posing out of it. As you can see, his excellent posing started in the tunnel before the game.
This has become one of my favorite Xabi posing pictures and if one day The Xabi Alonso pose section™ decides to choose the best poses, this one will be a contender.
Of note: the good relations between Madrid and Barça’s players endure. Prior to the game, Carles Puyol gave a very warm greeting to Agustín Herrerín. Their embrace is quite touching, no? After the game, Iker saluted some of his La Roja teammates, including Cesc and Busquets.
Jan. 19 – the Pepe video.
Madrid’s web site released a video in which Pepe said that “with regards to the play with Leo Messi, I want to say that it was an involuntary action on my part, that I would never hurt him. If Messi feels offended, I apologize for that. What I try to defend is my team, my institution, I do that with my body and soul, and I have never thought about hurting someone in my profession.”
I think it would have been better if Pepe and the club had said nothing at all, because this sort of non-apology apology – which reminds one of the statement Mou released after the Supercopa poking incident – just gives more ammunition to the anti-Madrid camps. I have no doubt that Pepe does work very hard to defend his club, but seriously, he also needs to work hard to make sure that the rage doesn’t get the better of him. This wasn’t the first inexcusable action on his part, and it worries me a lot because I know it won’t be the last. He needs more self control. And to rediscover the boy who exchanged fish for a Macca shirt.