The best moments took place before and after the game, so here they are!

ONE.  It was nice to see Madrid, and especially Cristiano, receive so much love from rival fans!  Many fans shouted or displayed signs professing their love, admiration and opinion on his looks, while a bunch of Celta canteranos did their best to try and get whatever souvenirs they could from our players.  Some were quite successful.

TWO.  Marcelo was captain for this one, and so he had his serious face on during the game.  After, the game, that big smile returned.

THREE.  Here are more scenes prior to the game, with the kids trying their best to get their hands on whatever souvenirs they could.  First, they tried to get Álvaro Arbeloa’s jacket (the one he was wearing).  He said they would give them something later on (one of Madrid’s staffers handed out pins a short while later).  Then they asked him to tell Cristiano to come up so that they could take a photo with him, and Álvaro said he would.

FOUR.  You can cut the tension here with a knife!  It must be a result of their constant competition for the affections of Chori, jajaja!

FIVE.  Xabi was also besieged with requests for his shirt, his sweatshirt, his jacket, anything.  He said he would later on, and he kept his promise, tossing his game jersey to one of the kids after the game.  ¡Grande Xabi!

SIX.  Good: Mesut Özil took his shirt off after the game, to exchange it with Roberto Lago.  Bad: he then showed an utter lack of respect for it and the player by throwing it into the crowd a few seconds later.  I don’t think he should have done that, even if there had been kids shouting for a souvenir.  Also after the game, even the police officers were asking Madrid’s players for autographs.

SEVEN.  Meanwhile, the lights went out while Pepe was speaking to the media in the mixed zone, and Mou, also in half darkness, was captured on the team bus eating instant noodles.

EIGHT.  RMC’s players were the special guest at this game.  Earlier in the afternoon, they had beaten Coruxo 5-1 behind two goals from Dani Suárez, and one apiece from Rubén Sobrino, Diego Llorente and Mariano.  Diego shared this photo from the game.

NINE.  The Xabi Alonso pose section.™  Once again, muy jefe.

TEN.  Cristiano’s two goals, which he celebrated in almost identical ways, helped Madrid to move into second place in the table.  Madrid is now 13 points behind Barcelona, but one ahead of Atleti.

ELEVEN.  The victory (and the upcoming two-day holiday) put everyone in a good mood, and many of the guys shared photos from the trip back to Madrid.

Kaká, Mesut and Sami played Mario Kart!  By the way, Mesut is the star of the short documentary “Mesut, 17” which was filmed in 2006 when he was 17.  It will debut at the upcoming International Football Film Festival in Berlin.  I can’t wait to see it!  Would any German readers like to translate it?

TWELVE.  RMC traveled back to Madrid with the team.  The adorable players, including Álvaro López, Diego Llorente, Bruno and Burgui, used the opportunity to take photos with their idols.  Cris was unsurprisingly the most sought after.  The boys then shared them on Twitter and Instagram.

And Jacob Sánchez shared this photo with Dani, whom he called the MVP of the game.  In case you didn’t know, Dani is Real Madrid Basketball player Carlos Súarez’ younger brother (Dani is four years younger, and 1.90m to Carlos’ 2.03m).

Here’s almost everyone, courtesy of Diego!

THIRTEEN.  Look who had dinner together at Mesón Txistu on Monday!  Luis Figo, Fernando Hierro, Raulito and Fernando Morientes!  According to AS, Chendo also joined them later.  I have so much love for these men.  (A closer look reveals that Xabi is in one of the photos, and Pepe Reina and David Villa are in another).

FOURTEEN.  And the director of the Directorate General of Traffic, María Seguí, was recently asked about the rash of traffic violations committed by Real Madrid players.  One reporter asked if she would visit the team to resolve this issue, and she said no, but that she would happy to receive Madrid or any team to explain to them the importance of doing things well.  I can’t believe it has gotten to this point.