I’m happy to report that those magical European nights are back at the Bernabéu (there’s just something in the air), not only because Madrid played their first Champions quarterfinal match in seven years and 12 days, but also because the fans responded to the team’s call and really pushed their club last night (I guess the ball holding and the glaring into the camera worked!)! Madrid beat Tottenham 4-0, meaning that we’re well positioned for the return leg in London. And we suffered no injuries! So kisses and applause for everyone!
And unlike the last game, I wanted to re-watch this one, because there really were some magical moments!
ONE. In the tunnel before the game, Cris spoke with Marcelo and Pepe, probably to give them some instructions, but he ended up looking like he was dancing (or maybe he was, but then I think Marcelino would have joined in, no?). Meanwhile, José Mourinho was just on his way out when his deputy boss stopped him for a word. The game was probably won right then and there.
I love that there is a poster of the escudo on the ceiling! Iker touched it before he went out; perhaps it’s another of his manias?
TWO. As I said before, the Bernabéu really pushed their team last night. The club distributed white and purple flags to help create the atmosphere, and there was also a huge banner on one of the laterales, which said “Until the end. Let’s go Real.”
Doesn’t that guy really look like Zidane? They have the same… ummm… hairstyle.
Among those that received chants last night: Mourinho (even though we know he doesn’t like it), Mesut Özil, Cristiano and Manu Adebayor. When Ángel di María scored, the stadium exploded into the classic “Así, así, así, así gana el Madrid.” There were lots of “olés” and anti-Barça chants sprinkled throughout the game as well, and the repeated singing of “Somos los reyes de Europa” (we’re the kings of Europe) during the second half.
THREE. It was great – and reassuring – to see Marcelo, Xabi and Cristiano back in the starting line-up. I love these two moments during the Champions League song when Cris and Ozi were whispering (well, Cris was whispering and Mesut was just listening and nodding), and when Cris gently prodded the kids to leave the field. It’s Papá Cris!
Everyone had their game faces on.
FOUR. There was also time for hugs, as Rafa van der Vaart made his way down the Madrid line, and Cris and Marcelo also gave each other a hug and had some last minute words while waiting for the kick-off.
Despite playing only two seasons with Madrid, Rafa won the hearts of the fans (much like his teammate Jonathan Woodgate) for his drive, commitment and for never saying anything bad about the team no matter how difficult his personal situation was. And so he was received very nicely last night, both before and during the game. Anyone who booed him does not know the meaning of el madridismo. ¡Gracias Rafa!
FIVE. The goals.
The chants of “¡¡Manolito oé, Manolito oé!!” could be heard continuously at the Bernabéu last night (the loudest ones came when Manolito was subbed out) and they were deserved.
Both his goals came off of headers (he’s not 1.93 meters tall for nothing). He celebrated the first one by running to the bench and motioning for Lass to come out so he and the others could mob him. How cute!
Adebayor said after the game that he was touched by the chants, and happy for the result, adding that this was his best game to date with Madrid.
The third goal, the work of Ángel di María, was a ¡¡golazo!! And the celebration deserves exclamation marks too (a la Javi (!!!)) because the players made a manpile. I’m glad no one suffocated or got injured…
… although Marcelo did have look of intense suffering towards the end. Everyone got up off of him after he started complaining.
Only two players were missing from the pile and environs. One was Iker, of course, who hardly ever gets to celebrate with his teammates, and the other was Xabi, because he’s just too classy. Meanwhile, Cris was there but probably didn’t join in because he was concerned that his hair would be flattened, while Ricky probably thought he was too mature, and Lass is not one for showing too much emotion. Meanwhile, Sergio probably wanted to be right in the middle of things, but just arrived too late. I also like how Mesut is, for some reason, perpendicular to everyone else.
The fourth goal came courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo, from near where Ángel had scored the third goal. He dedicated it to Cris Jr., and the highlight of that goal was the celebration from Mamá Dolores, who was really excited. Hopefully, this moment of celebration does not mean that she’s in the clutches of Real Madrid’s photographers.
Two more shots of the celebrations from the third and fourth goals. The bromance is back! Cris can muss up Ricky’s hair, but if Ricky tried to do that to him, he’d probably bite his hand off (in the cute Xavi and Iker way).
SIX. Is Marcelo trying to make Iker jealous by showing how much hair he has?
SEVEN. Don’t Esteban and Antonio look like the teacher’s pets, sitting in the front row, with attentive, goody goody expressions on their faces? But Antonio got a bit naughty later, whispering things to Álvaro, and biting his nails. Maybe he should just keep his gloves on all the time to prevent that.
EIGHT. Speaking of the bench, it was great to see both Pipa and Kaká back, although we didn’t get any shirtless moments during this game. And once again, I have to say I like the five o’clock shadow on Ricky’s face!
NINE. Oh oh, my knee, my ankle, my back, it hurts so much, I’m in so much pain, I can’t continue, call the medical staff (referee flashes the card)… it’s a miracle! I also loved this moment from Marcelo (note: I am being sarcastic. I did not think this is behavior fit for a player wearing Madrid’s escudo.)
TEN. And wasn’t Manolito’s huge smile as he came out to a standing ovation adorable?
ELEVEN. Continuing in the spirit of Sergio, and Esteban from the last game, Ricky Carvalho and Pepe decided to flash some thigh at us. Pictures here and here, although they’re nowhere in the same league as Sergio.
TWELVE. TVE wanted to interview Adebayor after the game, but he told them to go for Cristiano instead, because he thought it would be more appropriate for the viewers to see and hear someone who speaks Spanish. ¡Que detalle! So Cris and his red, sweaty face spoke to Rubén León (for some reason, his Portuguese accent came out very strong). I can’t get over how his hair was still perfectly sculptured even after 90 minutes of running, falling…
… and heading the ball. Even that can’t flatten his hair! It really must be some super gel! I love this picture.
THIRTEEN. Manolito got a hug from Pepe and a tap on the ass from Ricky after the game, while Mou greeted his old friend Harry Redknapp.
FOURTEEN. In the mixed zone, Mesut looked extremely silly wearing his cap in that way, and Iker spoke to the press before heading home to his log cabin. Sarcasm aside, my poor Iker was sad. He said, “I’m sad because the other day we let an opportunity escape, that of continuing to fight for the Liga. I’m competitive and I like to win. Now we have to go to Bilbao and try to make up the difference with Barça. Then, we can think about the Champions.”
The players coincided that while the score looks good and close to definitive, they can’t be overconfident. Iker said, “we can’t have too much confidence, and we have to score goals in London, so that it will be difficult for them to make a comeback. You can’t relax. I was eliminated years ago by Monaco. In football, there is a law that says you have to respect the rival (Sandro, you listening?). Many things can happen in the return leg, so we have to be prudent.” Meanwhile, Sergio said, “I’m not the only one who thinks that we’re not in the semifinals yet and we should be realistic,” and Ricky Carvalho added, “we haven’t finished yet and we have to play in London.” Cris said more or less the same thing in his postgame interview.
FIFTEEN. The Xabi Alonso pose section.™
He’s back, but the cameras didn’t capture much of his posing.
It continued after the game though, during his interview with Silvia Barba.
SIXTEEN. The Mou corner.
The most interesting thing Mou had to say after the game was regarding the card situation. As I mentioned yesterday, five players were on the brink of a one-game suspension: Pepe, Carvalho, Di María, Sergio and Cristiano (Raúl Albiol is too, but there was no chance that he would get another last night). Mou said in the postgame press conference that he couldn’t order them to force the suspension: “the issue of the cards is interesting. Everyone knows we have many players with two yellows and the normal thing would be for some of them to provoke another, so that they miss the game in London. But Mourinho is the only coach in the world to be sanctioned for doing this. Madrid is the only team in the history of football to be punished for this reason. Xabi and Casillas are the only players in the world to be sanctioned for this. And that’s why we didn’t do it against Tottenham, because I would be sanctioned and would miss the next game. Cristiano, Carvalho and Di María would be sanctioned. There are clubs that do it and they laugh in the face of others, but we’re not allowed to do it although we could have. I’m very proud of being the only coach in the world to have been sanctioned for doing this.” Classic Mou!
Mou also preached caution, stressing that the team “is not in the semifinals yet.” He also gave birth to a ball, again. It’s a boy!
SEVENTEEN. Other notes and looking ahead, brought to you by Cris and his variety of expressions, and Sergio being flexible. That is of course a good thing, since he has to get creative to make up for his bed being so small and narrow, no?
– did Álvaro get Crouch’s shirt? I hope so, otherwise will he and El Chori go shirtless? Hopefully Xabi and his camera are around if that happens!
– in case you’re wondering, Sergio doesn’t usually eat after games because he doesn’t get hungry; he only has liquids.
– Xabi got stuck with the “anti-doping” after the game, and then he had dinner at a terraza with Nagore and friends.
– former Madrid coach Fabio Capello was at the game, as were renowned madridistas Fernando Verdasco, Carlos Sainz, José Mercé… and the king of Spain’s grandson Froilán!
– Pepe will miss the second-leg game in London, after receiving his third yellow card, which translates to a one-game suspension. Peter Crouch will also miss the match, as he was kicked out of this game and will thus automatically miss the next.
– Madrid has the day off today before beginning preparations to take on Athletic – and Javi (!!!) – this Saturday (18h) at San Mamés.
– and congratulations to Raúl and his Schalke! I’m so happy for him. After the game, while Iker, Sergio and Xabi were applauding the crowd from the center of the field, the videoscreen showed the Inter-Schalke score, and those three players were impressed. Sergio also told the journalists in the mixed zone that he sent a congratulatory text message to “Rulo.” The fans had also cheered his goal, chanting his name.
And this looked pretty fantastic on the scoreboard too!
