I like how we are going into the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg against Barcelona!  We have momentum, confidence and heart!

ONE.  Sergio was the captain for this game, with Iker out.  He made his return after serving the four-game suspension he got for insulting the referee against Celta in the Copa del Rey (the Liga games against Osasuna and Valencia, and the Copa del Rey matches against Valencia; he’ll also miss this Wednesday’s game due to the two yellow cards as this type of suspension has to be served in the competition it occurred in).  Anyway, he was looking good both before and after the game!

You know, I think I rather like the early games!  I’ve had “big fun” each time so far!

TWO.  The players walked out onto the field wearing shirts that read “Ánimo Iker.”  But you’re not looking at that, are you?  You’re looking at Sergio Ramos’ shorts.  And was Chori living up to his nickname too?

Cris took off the shirt right after the shaking of hands, although the team was supposed to take the team photo with it on.  So, he tried to put it on, decided he wouldn’t make it in time, and so he just held it up for the photo.  More pre-game scenes: Mesut Özil getting encouragement from Cris in the tunnel, warming up, and praying.

And Diego López warmed up in the goal with Jesús and Antonio.  Antonio started the game (it was great to hear the Bernabéu chanting his name in a show of support) and Diego watched it from the bench.  Jesús watched it from the stands, since he was cut from the game day roster.

THREE.  Diego was on the bench, sitting next to or behind Marcelo Sunshine for the game, making him the co-star in The Marcelo Show.  He also heard his name chanted, and that caused Marcelo to bop around.  Marcelo (I love his big, liquid eyes!) was seen clutching a shirt for part of the game…

… and it was Calleti’s!  Remember when Marcelo got a hold of Mesut’s?  This time, he didn’t end up in José Callejón’s, though.

FOUR.  The goals!  After a first half where nothing really happened, Madrid unleashed the goals in the second (it was the opposite of the Valencia game, no?), with Sergio starting things off (Cris said they were “sleeping” at the beginning because it was an early game).  The armband must have brought him good luck!

He celebrated his goal in style, and also celebrated Cristiano’s in this fashion.

He revealed after the game that the two of them had planned this goal celebration.  Sergio also said Cristiano shows each day that he’s “grandísimo” player.

Cristiano really loves pulling his teammates down to the ground to celebrate with him, doesn’t he?  He did it with Ángel di María in the last Liga game, and this time, it was Mesut’s turn.  Cris also turned to the palco where his family was sitting and pointed at it after each goal.

Now I see why Mesut said the game was “big fun”!

The third goal brought everyone to their feet, including Marcelo and Diego.

Cristiano Junior watched the game alongside his grandmother and other family members, and cheered his papá on!  Adorable!

FIVE.  With that spectacular performance – three goals in less than 10 minutes! – it’s no wonder that Cristiano got a standing ovation when he left the game (Mesut got one as well).  Previously, the fans had chanted his name, and later when he was on the bench, there were chants of “Ballon d’Or.”  He deserves it!

It makes me so happy to see the Bernabéu with Cristiano.

Agustín also had a few things to say to him!

SIX.  The Xabi Alonso pose section™, bench edition.

I love how in the beginning of the game, Xabi was looking around and craning his neck to see the view from the bench, since he’s hardly ever there.

During the game, he rued a missed opportunity from Mesut and then warmed up, although ultimately it was back to the bench for him.

Bring on Barcelona!