Since the media coverage of the game was so intense, moments from about two hours before the game to two hours after were captured.  So, the ICYMI post will be in several parts, so that I can share all those moments with all of you!  By the way, I’m still smiling!

For Xabi Alonso fans, this post is like an entire “The Xabi Alonso pose section™, clásico edition!

ONE.  Arrival at the Camp Nou.  For the record, Álvaro Arbeloa walked into the stadium chatting with José Callejón.  As you can see, Gonzalo Higuaín entered between Kaká and Karim Benzema.  No one had custody of Raúl Albiol?

TWO.  Checking out the field.  After dumping their stuff in the locker room, a small group of players – Álvaro Arbeloa, Esteban Granero, Antonio Adán, Tomás Mejías – headed out onto the field to check out the condition of the pitch.  I guess Alvarito was still a bit sleepy from his siesta, because he was caught yawning.  And was there another beautiful girl in the stands that they were checking out?  Judging from their somewhat serious expressions, (unfortunately for them) no.

Shortly after, they were joined by Xabi Alonso.  As always, he had to feel the grass, and have his cup of coffee.

These boys are beautiful!

THREE.  The warm-up.  As soon as the players stepped onto the field, the abuse and the boos started.  Iker didn’t let that faze him.  I liked that he included his tongue in the warm-up, in addition to his arms.

The rest of the players were all looking serious during this period.

FOUR.  Almost game time!  Inside the tunnel, players greeted their national team teammates.  Gonzalo Higuaín and Ángel di María hugged Javier Mascherano, while Iker headed over to the Barcelona side, where he saluted Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets (Busquets surprised Iker with a kiss; as you can see, Iker wasn’t expecting that).  Sergio did the same when he came down, under the watchful eye of The Observer (Francesc Satorra), the man with a mustache almost as famous as that of Vicente del Bosque, hugging Thiago, then Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi and Puyol.

Esteban Granero also gave Andrés Iniesta a big hug.  I’ve noticed him doing this before, I wonder if the two of them have any history together?  And I love Marcelo jumping down the step instead of walking!  And then later, after the coin toss, we had the two captains hugging it out.  VDB’s heart must have been warmed.

More to come…