Well, we finished the primera vuelta in second place, and if we judge by this game, the second half of the season will be a difficult one.  But since I’m an optimist, I’m going to focus on the positives.  We’re in second place, which is not at all bad, we’ve only lost once and we’ve showed signs of brilliance in some games.  Karim Benzema didn’t start the game, but when he came in during the second half, he was able to change the game and was an integral part of the only goal.  Plus, we really do have the best looking team, no?  (More on that later).

ONE. This was pretty much my reaction the game too, sarcastic laughter and entreatment.  Only I’m not as adorable as Mou or Cris when I do it.

TWO. El Pirata’s goal was a beauty.  So was the celebration by this little Madrid fan in Almería.  Gooooooooool indeed.

THREE. Here comes the part about our adorable players.

Sergio Ramos was the most popular guy around in the tunnel, as he greeted Almería’s players, including M’bami, who had played in the Champions for Africa game, and chatted with everyone.  Also keep an eye out for Xabi stretching.  It’s mesmerizing.

They’re so cute, no?  I wonder what Kaká is signaling?  Maybe it’s a message to Marcelo, since he starts out with his fingers reading “12.”

This was Kaká’s first start of the season.  He said after the game that everyone was upset, including Mourinho, since obviously no one was content with the result.  Meanwhile, Marcelo was subbed out, because Mou didn’t like his passive attitude, especially during Ulloa’s goal.

FOUR. There was something about sitting on or standing near the banquillo that made our players extra pretty, or in Marcelo’s case, pouty.  And how did Karim resist biting his nails when Antonio was doing that exact thing next to him?

Kaká was seen putting ice on his knee, the one that was operated on.

FIVE. More beauty.

SIX. Free kick posing.  Unfortunately, neither Xabi’s smoldering nor Cristiano’s little entreaty to God worked.

SEVEN. I love this picture.  Look at the Germans!

EIGHT. Xabi and his hand motions.  What does that circling thing mean?

NINE. And on the subject of Xabi, the Xabi Alonso pose section.™  Today with tongue.

TEN. Fun moments with Cristiano.

ELEVEN. Iker and Almería midfielder Fabián Vargas got into an argument as the game ended.  As Iker was trying to kick the ball, Vargas got into his way to delay him and bumped him.  Both of them started jawing at each other before Álvaro Arbeloa and then other players got into the middle.  Vargas explained on twitter (here, here, here, here and here) after the game that Iker had tried to take a shot at him and insulted him because “el señor Casillas was feeling helpless because they couldn’t win against a humble team and lost points in the race for the title.”  Very classy.

I love how Álvaro and then Marcelo came to defend Iker.  Who’s turned on by seeing how forceful Álvaro can be?

TWELVE. More consolation, in the form of Ozi taking his shirt off after the game.  Unfortunately, the camera person did not zoom in.

He wore his “1 million Facebook fans” boots.  What will be the next milestone before he can get new ones?

THIRTEEN. Front and back.™

Zipi.

Zape.

The pose-striking Cristiano Ronaldo.

Iker.

Richi.

Ozi.

Sergio Ramos.  I wouldn’t mind him defending me like that.

Random fronts and backs – Khedira, Granero and Marcelo.

FOURTEEN. The Mou corner.

Before the clock had reached one minute into the game, Mou was already writing in his little notebook.  This is the face he wore for most of the game, when he wasn’t laughing, that is.

In postgame declarations, Mou congratulated Almería for playing a good game, and said that he was confident that the team can win the Liga, since “we’re only at the midpoint of the championship and it’s possible to make a comeback” and that he expects the team to improve in the second half.  He also said of the refereeing, which once again caused a lot of controversy, “when I can’t say anything good about it, I prefer not to say anything at all.  I’ve known this referee since the first time I was in Spain.  We all change with the passing of the years, but Mr. Pérez Lasa is exactly the same in 2011 as he was in 1996.”  His parting shot was, “I hope Pérez Lasa won’t get assigned to us or Barcelona in the second half.”

My favorite shot of Mou of the night.  Runner up goes to the official with the side eye.

FIFTEEN. Meanwhile, over at Castilla, MFC (that’s my favorite canterano, if you’re just joining us) Álvaro Morata scored a goal as our boys routed Universidad de Las Palmas 5-0.  The other goalscorers were Pablo Sarabia (twice – a goal and a penalty), Juanfran and Joselu.  My favorite was Pablo’s goal.  The other highlight was the debut of Juvenil A player Jesé, who came in for Juanfran in the 69th minute.  Game summary here.  Castilla is currently ranked 10th in their division, six points from fourth place.

Special front and back™ for the little ones.  Morata is number 9, by the way.

Esteban Granero, Madrid’s resident cantera expert, told “El Larguero” after the game that Morata is still too young and needs to mature, but he has a lot of potential.  He added that MFC is a “good person, which is important.”  I love that El Pirata felt the need to add that, because it shows that he too is a good person.

SIXTEEN. To end on a fun note, here’s a video of a slightly obsessed Cristiano fan, though she’s not anywhere near the league of those Sergio-obsessed fans.

SEVENTEEN. Looking ahead:  the players have today off, and will return to training tomorrow.  The next game is Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarterfinal vuelta against Atlético.