In case you missed it – Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid [2012-02-26, Liga jornada 25, 0-1].
Well, this game can be summed up (for me) by two events: Cris’ taconazo, and the mass (though unfortunately not universal) shirt removal that went on after the game. Plus, I love that they played in red again!
The ICYMI post could end right here, no? But since I noticed a few other moments during the game, there’s a bit more to say.
ONE. First, a couple more shots of that spectacular goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. Even his detractors (on Cuatro) pointed out that this time, Cris wasn’t showing off, as a backheel flick was the best option given the situation.
Most of the time, I love the celebration as much or more than the goal, but this one was so beautiful that the celebration comes second.
Nevertheless, the mini dance moves from Cris and his gestures during the celebration were pretty great.
TWO. Others who participated in the shirt removal: Álvaro Arbeloa and Mesut Özil. Being bathed in the glow of the afternoon sun made both of them look like bronzed gods. And doesn’t it look like they’re wearing swim shorts, and so they should be at the beach?
There was also a lot of hugging going on after the game, since everyone was relieved to walk away with a win after such a tough game.
THREE. There were eight yellows (including for Iker for protesting and Marcelo for yapping away at one of the assistant referees) and two reds handed out during this game, and Rui Faria also got himself sent off, his third time in as many months (the two previous times were against Sporting on Dec. 3 and Málaga in the Copa on Jan. 3). The match report said he was sent off for “getting up off the bench, raising his arms in the air, shouting and repeatedly protesting a decision by the referee, having been previously warned by the fourth official.” Each time, he was sanctioned with two games (he also received a fine of 600 euros for the first instance, with the club having to pay 180 euros). Rui needs to control himself. This makes the club look bad.
FOUR. The 16h game start was unusual for Madrid, and Iker had a little trouble seeing (unfortunately for him, he wouldn’t be allowed to wear a hat or sunglasses, as Mou had suggested) but the upside was, like I said before, that the sun bathed our players in a golden glow.
FIVE. I was a bit disappointed that Joselu didn’t get any minutes, though it was understandable. I love how Esteban, José and Fábio look like they’re having a great time! And I adore how Fábio’s eyes crinkle up when he smiles or laughs!
SIX. I also love angry Iker, and what a save to deny Rayo!
SEVEN. This picture of number seven just makes me laugh.
EIGHT. Did you notice José Callejón kissing his shirt before putting it on? And surprisingly enough, he doesn’t have that much gel in his hair, because he was able to run his hand through it with ease.
NINE. In the first half, Mou scolded Pipita Higuaín for his lack of effort, looking quite comical while doing so. Thus, when the boys came out for the second half, Xabi was seen encouraging Gonzalo with words and with pats. They two of them had spent some time together before the game as well. I love it when Xabi acts like a father out there!
TEN. Fun moments: a patch on the ref’s shirt mesmerized Pepe (it doesn’t take a lot, does it?), and Sergio showed how he had been elbowed.
ELEVEN. It’s Raúl Bravo, remember him? I know, you probably tried your best to forget him, no?
TWELVE. Some pre-game scenes: Sergio’s perfect hair, and the fact that he was rallying the troops makes him even sexier (he’s telling the guys to pressure the rival). The others were looking good as well, especially Xabi and his artfully draped sweatshirt.
THIRTEEN. After the game, Cristiano was asked to talk about his goal, of course. He said, “I didn’t even think about it, I kicked it with my heel, and thanks to that I surprised the defenders and the goalkeeper. In addition, the ball had enough force behind it so that it couldn’t be rejected. This goal allowed us to achieve the triumph, so it had a double value to it.” When asked to qualify the goal, he said, “it was a very beautiful goal because a backheel goal is always different. It was a golazo, but it wasn’t the best one of my career, I’ll have to see it on video but I don’t have the feeling that it was the most beautiful one of my career.” Cris also said that he ran into Joel in the drug testing zone, and he said it was impossible to stop because he didn’t expect it.
Iker described the goal like this: “Cristiano pulled a goal out of his magician’s hat, a great resource.” So true! I love that Cris has a bag of tricks!
Pepe celebrated the win and his 29th birthday: “the win is the best birthday present you can have. Rayo made things very difficult for us. Cris’ goal was a work of art.”
FOURTEEN. The Xabi Alonso pose section.™
Xabi was in a pointing mood.
FIFTEEN. The Mou corner.
Prior to the game, Mou happily posed for pictures and signed autographs for some of the workers at the Vallecas, who told the media that Mou had been very nice.
Mou gave a lot of credit to Rayo in his post-game declarations, saying, “no other rival created so much difficulties for us. Rayo didn’t deserve to lose, a tie would have been the most just result. They never gave up and they took risks until the end, including with the substitutions. I like their coach very much.” As for Rui Faria’s expulsion, Mou said his assistant’s behavior was the same as the others on the bench, “normal behavior for people that when they are not happy with something, they protest, but with education and respect. If they send him off, they should send everyone off. The fourth official [José Luis Munuera Montero] was the most arrogant that I’ve ever met. There are ways to speak. You can say, ‘please, be quiet’ or ‘please, sit down’ or ‘calm down.’ With tranquility and education, it’s easier to get things done than with arrogance.”
SIXTEEN. Other notes.
As stated earlier, the game ended with the classic exchange of shirts, although for the most part (Sergio-José as the exception), the Rayo players only received and didn’t give, since the difficult economic situation the club is going through means that they have to reuse their shirts. ¡Ánimo Rayo!
Like Esteban Granero several weeks ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was left behind because he took too long to piss for the drug test. He left in a private car, followed by Óscar Ribot after the team bus had already left.
Sergio tweeted this photo of him and Pepe after the game, saying, “I leave you all with this photo with Pepe, since it’s his birthday. Congratulations phenomenon!! No matter who comes, there are centerbacks here for a long time.” I wonder who he’s referring to???
And hours later, renowned madridista Fernando Verdasco put on the red shirt, just as his team had for their game, when he won the doubles title (along with fellow Spaniard and best friend David Marrero) at the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires!
