ICYMI – the ¡! edition

In case you missed it – Villarreal vs. Real Madrid [2012-03-21, Liga jornada 29, 1-1].

Here’s the flip side of that game against Villarreal.

ONE.  Prior to the game, we had some of our boys – Xabi, Esteban, Jesús, Antonio, Gonzalo, José and Álvaro – gathered in a circle, laughing and looking towards the stands.  What was so interesting in the stands that Antonio and Gonzalo kept turning around and staring?  Cuatro provided the answer.

TWO.  Meanwhile, Hamit and Nuri were perched on the bench.  You would think that they would choose anywhere but there to hang out, knowing that once the game starts, they have two hours on the bench ahead of them.

THREE.  Also before the game, we had some of the native South Americans hanging out together, while Sergio was looking pensive.  I’d like to think he was missing Iker’s company.

FOUR.  Some fun moments.

FIVE.  The goal came off of a beautiful pass from Mesut.  This was his 14th goal assist in the Liga, the most out of any player (here’s a list of all of them).  Ángel di María is in second place with 13, Leo Messi in third place with 10 and Dani Alves in fourth place with nine.

I loved the celebration, other than the fact that Pepe appeared to be insulting the crowd.

Kaká was quite adorable, poking his head out, and Antonio wins the award for most enthusiastic teammate.

SIX.  Lass was taken out early, and José Callejón entered for him.  Notice Mou shouting ¡José! and José having to untangle himself from the comfortable position he had taken up on the bench.

SEVEN.  Poor Calleti.  He finally got the opportunity to get into a game early, and a brutal tackle put him back on the sidelines.  He watched the rest of the game from the tunnel.  The team didn’t release any information on the extent of the injury to his left ankle.

EIGHT.  Things I love.

NINE.  After the game, Álvaro Arbeloa went over to hug his old friend (he was at his wedding) and former teammate Diego López.  Esteban Granero also joined them.  I’m happy that Diego played well.

TEN.  The Xabi Alonso pose section.™

If Xabi is trying to make us crazy, it’s working.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (Sorry Javi (!!!).)

ELEVEN.  Some notes.  Madrid has not tied two games in a row since the 2006-07 season, when they tied four in a row between jornadas 23 and 26.

And in this video from the meet and greet session on Tuesday, we get to hear from Vila-real’s Sergio Ramos.  He reveals that his family and friends say he looks like Sergio, and when asked what he likes most about Sergio, he replies, “his headband.”  Jajajajaja!!!!!

TWELVE.  Meanwhile, Castilla beat Leganés 2-1 (at least they did what they were supposed to do), behind goals from MFC ABMM and Joselu.  Álex returned to the game after serving a three-game suspension.