ICYMI – the Superman edition

In case you missed it – Real Madrid vs. Sevilla [2013-02-09, Liga jornada 23, 4-1].

AS’ cover screamed “SUPERMÁN” and La Sexta followed suit.

We can’t seem to beat teams from Andalucía in Andalucía, but over at the Bernabéu, it’s a whole other story, as our home stadium remains a fortress.  And hopefully that will extend to Wednesday’s game against Manchester United!

ONE.  Karim Benzema kicked off the goalscoring…

… and Cristiano completed it with a hat trick, pushing past legend Ferenc Puskás to become the second ranked Madrid player in the number of times where hat tricks or better were scored, with 20 (Alfredo di Stéfano is first with 31), and Paco Gento (another legend) to become Madrid’s sixth all time top goalscorer (and the Liga’s 26th) with 183 goals.

This season, Cris has scored 36 goals in 35 games.  Brutal numbers!  Curiously enough, Sevilla is the Liga team he has scored most on, with 12 goals in seven games.

We adore you Cris!

He reserved a tremendous ovation from the Bernabéu once he subbed out, and he thanked the fans for the gesture.

TWO.  Several of the players on the field on Saturday have played for both teams, or together with other teams, and we could see signs of the resulting friendships.  There were hugs between Sevilla’s Portuguese goalkeeper Beto and Fábio and Cristiano.  Our canterano Álvaro Negredo doled out hugs and kisses as he went down the receiving line (he served as Sevilla’s captain, which meant more hugs with Sergio) while Sergio and Manu del Moral, onetime teammates on La Roja, hugged after the game.

And of course, there was Sergio and his inseparable Jesús.

And in the tunnel, we had almost all of Sevilla’s players wanting kisses from Diego López, who seems to have made quite an impact in his half year with the club.  Not to be outdone, Cris gave him one too, as did Sergio, while Mesut looked on (jealously).

THREE.  And Álvaro Arbeloa posted this photo after the game, which illustrates how much discord there is in the locker room.  Pepe returned five weeks after his operation and played as a midfielder for 22 minutes in the second half.

And how hilarious is it that Álvaro and Luka both chose to wear Dolce & Gabbana Monica Bellucci t-shirts on the same day?  The store in Madrid should have an assistant whose sole job is to make sure that the players don’t purchase the same (or similar) item(s).  [The same goes for Gucci and Louis Vuitton…]

FOUR.  Some Sergio moments.  Being all captain-y…

… using Álvaro Negredo to execute a flip, and being affectionate with a child.

FIVE.  And this genius sign – we have the best and most creative fans in the world!

¡Hala Madrid!