Fred & Ginger Make A Recommendation, Historic Remontadas, Iker For Adidas & Double Datin’

Ah, Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers! When I was a woobins-sized Lozil and had major disappointments, my mom would always sing this song to me. So here it is, boys. I love you! Hala Madrid and let’s kick some arse next week!

Remontadas are obviously on everyone’s mind right now. After the game yesterday, I went home, curled up in the fetal position and snarfed tons of baby carrots with edamame hummus. I figure with the amount of emotional eating I’ll be doing between now and the next leg, I’d best make it healthy or risk getting accidentally harpooned. Sigh.

But we need to get inspired. We don’t have the luxury of laying around in angst puddles. We’ve got to get our shit together, cheer on our boys and support them 100%. In turn, they need to show up and play their little hearts out. As Mou said, they have to be ready to give everything and die out there on the pitch and “If we get knocked-out by Borussia on Tuesday then so be it, but they will have had to suffer and Real Madrid’s players will end the match with nothing left to give”. And that’s all we can ask of them – to give their all. Mou’s not going down without a fight and the team (along with the fans) shouldn’t either.

Signs of support and encouragement are everywhere (even amidst the whining, bitching, finger pointing, doom & gloom, etc.) Saw this on Twitter today (via @LuisoLeonGarcia)

It’s happened before, it could happen again. I do love a good precedent!  The mothership also got in the mood compiling a great video of all those comebacks.

Looks like they will also be doing a series on historic comebacks that we’ve made. Here’s the first part:

FROM REALMADRID.COM

Historical comebacks (I): Real Madrid 5-1 Derby County

The Whites knocked the English team out in the last-16 of the European Cup in 1975/76 thanks to goals in the second leg by Roberto Martínez (2), Santillana (2) and Pirri.

Real Madrid’s first big historical comeback was against Derby County in the last-16 of the 1975/76 European Cup. Madrid won the return leg in the Bernabéu 5-1, ensuring they would progress, something which looked highly unlikely after they had lost the first leg 4-1.

Derby County-Real Madrid. Last-16 of the European Cup (1975/1976)
In the first leg, played on 22 October 1975 at Derby’s Baseball Ground, the performance of the home team’s forwards George, with three goals, and Nish, with another, made it hard for Madrid to progress as they went into the second leg 4-1 behind. Pirri scored the Madrid goal which kept their hopes alive for the match in the Santiago Bernabéu.

Team sheets:
4- Derby County: Boulton, Todd, Thomas, Mc Farland, Nish, Newton, Rioch, Gemmill, Hector (Bourne, 79′), Lee y George (Davies, 79′).

1 -Real Madrid: Miguel Ángel, Sol, Camacho, Rubiñán, Pirri, Velázquez, Amancio, Breitner, Del Bosque, Netzer y Roberto Martínez.

Goals:
1-0 (min. 10): George.
2-0 (min. 15): George.
2-1 (min. 25): Pirri.
3-1 (min. 43): Nish.
4-1 (min. 76): George.

The return leg took place on 5 November of the same year. Real Madrid managed the impossible in the Santiago Bernabéu, beating the English team 5-1 in extra time. A spectacular come-back to reach the quarter finals of the European Cup. At half time Madrid were just in front after a second-minute goal by Roberto Martínez. In an incredible start to the second half, Madrid scored two more goals. Roberto Martínez, again, in the 50th minute and Santillana in the 54th made it 3-0. However, George made it 3-1 six minutes later (60’), forcing the home team to score at least one goal to level the contest. With five minutes left, Pirri scored Real Madrid’s fourth, putting the match into extra time. In extra time, Santillana put Madrid through in the 100’.

Team sheets:
5- Real Madrid: Miguel Ángel, Sol, Camacho, Benito, Pirri, Del Bosque, Netzer, Breitner, Amancio (Rubiñán, 95′), Santillana, Roberto Martínez.

1- Derby County: Boulton, Thomas, Nish, Mc Farland, Powell, Todd, Gemmill, Héctor (Bourne, 78′) (Hinton, 102′), Newton, Davies, George.

Goals:
1-0 (min. 2): R. Martínez.
2-0 (min. 50): R. Martínez.
3-0 (min. 54): Santillana.
3-1 (min. 60): George.
4-1 (min. 85): Pirri.
5-1 (min. 100): Santillana.

Can’t wait to see more of this series – it’s a great way to learn more about the history of the team and our never-say-die spirit.

Iker showed off his new Adidas gloves and boots today. He spoke candidly about the match, his relationship with Mou & the upcoming derby this weekend.

FROM REALMADRID.COM

Casillas: “We can’t wait for Tuesday”
by Javier García

“The 11 players who take to the field will give their heart and soul to try to get through the tie”, said the Whites’ captain at the unveiling of his new Adidas gloves and boots

Iker Casillas was the star attraction at a ceremony at the Futbolfactory Adidas Store at the Parquesur shopping centre in Leganes. The Real Madrid captain, who unveiled his new gloves and boots, spoke with the media and is confident that the team can turn around the Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund: “It is not a good feeling, it is painful to lose a semi-final first leg 4-1. But after the match, people start to pick themselves up, to believe and realise that there is still the second leg ahead of us. We have five days to appeal to Real Madrid fans, to come to the Bernabeu to support as they have done at other times for us to get through to the next round. We can remember great historical moments in which all seemed lost and in the end we made the comeback. As captain and player for this squad I ask that the people who go to the Bernabeu give their heart and soul. The 11 who take to the field will do that to try to get through the tie. We believe that it can be done”.

Casillas praised Borussia Dortmund for their great match, but is confident that the comeback is achievable: “We came into the match in good form, but Borussia played very well and were worthy winners, maybe with a slightly flattering scoreline, but there are still 90 minutes of the second leg to go, anything can happen and we will die out on the field if we need to because after those 90 minutes could be a Wembley final. We know that the comeback is possible, we have a chance. We have played in three consecutive semi-finals and we’re playing at home. After the poor performance in Germany the fans will be even more motivated. What we have to do is ask for support. Fans will be upset right now, but in two days they will forget about it and have to think about Tuesday’s match being the biggest of the season”.

Convinced about his team’s chances, he sent a message to the fans: “We have another chance on Tuesday, we are disappointed and hurt by the result, I understand that Real Madrid fans are disgusted by yesterday and didn’t eat well last night or have woken up today feeling annoyed. Also, those who travelled to Germany to support and the team were not in harmony. I know my teammates, we have shared the 10 months of this season and we can’t wait for Tuesday to show the fans that there can be bad days, like yesterday, but there can also be good days”. Casillas was asked about what he is going through on an individual level at the moment: “I’m fine, training brilliantly, as I have done many times, helping the team however I can. It is different to what I have been used to for the last 14 years but I am involved with the team, the important thing is the team. Diego Lopez has the full respect of his teammates and Real Madrid supporters and is doing very well. I am doing the same as before, I train a bit more, I push myself and get involved and give advice to the squad and I have to wait for the opportunity, that’s what football is about”.

When asked about his future should Mourinho continue at the club, he said: “It’s clear that right now, I want is to exclusively think about Tuesday’s match. I am training as I have done for months. In football there is a third party who decides who plays. But more important than my future and what I am bothered about is Real Madrid. Names do not matter, but the fans, the club, Real Madrid and Tuesday’s match”. Casillas says the club is more important than any one individual: “Above Iker is the club, which is the most important thing. I do not know if fans’ have the opinion that they want Iker to play or not. I’ve been dedicated to Real Madrid for 22 years. This club has taught me personal values and I am very lucky to have grown up here. The important thing is that Real Madrid always win. On Saturday we have a derby and Tuesday is the biggest match”.

(Aiiieeeeee! Check out the wee woobins with Iker’s glove! How cute is he?! The glove is almost as big is he is!  Cristiano is a hair influence too, I see.)

Casillas spoke about his relationship with the Portuguese coach: “It’s not cold, it’s honest. He speaks the truth, we have a great deal of respect for each other, and we talk about football. On a personal level we do not have the same relationship, there is no need to over think it. One thing is the professional relationship that we have and on a personal level it is very different, there is no need to over think it. The most important thing is the club”. About whether the team lacked a sufficient response in the Borussia match, he said: “We do have answers, that’s why we have reached where we have; the Champions League semi-finals and the Cup final. You have to look at what the opposition’s strengths are. We played against a team that presses well, who want to achieve something and that play a different form of football to us”. And as to whether they have no plan B, he said: “That’s what the coach is there for, to do what is best for the team at any time. The coach is the one who can do things with the team and the one who makes the plans”.

The captain also referred to Ramos’ statement after the match: “I agree with Sergio. He has a character and an attitude of always giving his all. Sometimes it is true that we lack that attitude. We knew what had happened the day before in the other semi-final and that it could happen to us. But I am convinced that my teammates have that attitude and will show it and do well. If there is something that this team and this club does not get tired of doing it is achieving great feats and I am convinced that it can happen on Tuesday”. He also ruled out that the defeat in Germany was due to over-excitement: “I did not see that in us. The day of a semi-final you can think that you have the ticket to the final. But we have a bad habit of thinking about an all-Spanish final, and last year we had the bad experience of not making it to the final. This year we hope to achieve that feat. Borussia will create danger for us, but we have a very capable and skilled squad that can turn the tie around, even if it will not be easy”.

Casillas spoke about his individual situation and when asked whether he thinks he will play this season, he was clear: “I am ready to play, available for the coach and to help the team. The one who decides is someone else, not me. I’m happy because when I got the all clear, my hand was great, which was the important thing. Now I have to wait for my chance and when it comes, make use of it. If I have the opportunity I will make the most of it because after three months without playing I have the keenness of a child. I do not give up, I try to put pressure on, keep moving ahead and helping. It is also good for Diego himself, putting on pressure so that nobody in the team can relax. All I have are very good words for Diego because he has really helped us to get where we are”.

On a possible division of opinion between fans and the words of support from Vicente del Bosque, he said: “I thank Del Bosque for his words, after the distressing situation of my injury three months ago. Every time I hear his words it picks me up even more. It is not easy for him, but it helps me to push myself further. People can think what they like, I grew up here. I’ve been here 22 years and if someone does not remember my career, they can have a look on the internet. I’ve always been committed and loyal to this club”.

Before Tuesday’s match, Real Madrid play the derby at the Vicente Calderon. “That is how the calendar has worked out, we have to also think about the derby, it is 14 years since we lost. They are going to want to beat us and cut our points advantage. A trial run of the Cup final? Maybe, but I do not think it will show much. What is certain is that in our heads are more on Tuesday’s match”, said Casillas. Finally, he reiterated his optimistic message regarding the Champions League second leg:” We are one step from the final and we have to make every effort to get there. We recognise that reaching a semi-final is very difficult. Every year that passes by is a year that hurts because it is a lost opportunity. We have to be aware that we have to fight in the Bernabeu to reach the final until the end, until we are almost out of breath”.

(Additional pictures by Carlos Alvarez-Getty Images via MGEF and Iker’s Facebook)

Watishista Michelle sent me a link to these photos of Cris & Irina double dating with Mesut & Mandy Capristo last night.  I couldn’t deal with all the post-game related screeching as it was so I didn’t bother posting it then, but Michelle brought up a good point: “with the loss today might as well take all the bad news at one time……….” Fair enough. The reason I haven’t posted about Mesut and Mandy before (it’s been a topic of conversation for a couple of months) is there was only one frigging set of pictures with them walking next each other which had everyone in hysterics. In this picture, they at least look like a real couple. I’ve found the reactions to him dating that I’ve seen kinda weird and borderline disturbing.  If you read Tumblr, Twitter, LJ, etc. there’s a bazillion fangirls shrieking, hating on Mandy and threatening to cliff themselves.  That’s not on. However, there’s another segment that has been planning the wedding and picking out baby names since there was the barest whisper that they might be a couple, stalking their twitters/instagrams, and reading romance into every single post no matter how innocuous. I find this equally weird.  There seems to be no middle ground. Don’t know about y’all but when I was Mesut’s age, I changed partners with startling regularity. The last thing I was interested in was marriage & babies. I was young and I wanted to have fun, preferably with someone awesome.  Looks like that’s what Mesut is doing and more power to him.  I say we let them have a good time without putting too much emphasis on the outcome. Not everyone wants to settle down and lest we forget, we don’t really know these people. We just have impressions of them, which may or may not be erroneous.  As for the Mandy haters, we don’t tolerate the nasty comments about girlfriends, so that’s not gonna fly either, but people have always been pretty respectful here (thankfully). So, in a (rather large) nutshell,  that’s why I always feel a bit uncomfortable posting about Mesut’s love life. For some reason, people seem as hardcore about it as the Sergio stans are (which, damn, that’s impressive). With that caveat in place, here’s pix of the happy couples after having a meal with friends at a Lebanese restaurant.

They all look super cute, right? The only things that I find worthy of major discussion is Cris’ terrible hat and the fact that Mesut is wearing a Cyndi Lauper t-shirt. Interesting. (Also? Irina has pretty, pretty hair).

On that note, it’s time for me to get back to work. Here’s to our boys, may they recover from yesterday’s disappointment and prosper.

– Lozil