Training, Xatty Xabi & Sergio, a Bebe, a Retirement, & more

We’ve got less than 24 hours to go until the FINAL kicks off! Training done? Check. Interviews & pressers done? Check. Tucked in at the hotel? Check. Freaking out? Check. Hopefully that last one is happening only on our parts, we need cool, calm, & collected boys who are ready to kick some ass tomorrow. I want to see big goals, a big win, and a big celebration! Make it happen boys, we need that trophy!

Everyone but recovering Varane was called up for the final. 24 fit men are ready for action!

REAL MADRID SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego Lopez, Adan and Jesus.
Defenders: Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, Carvalho, Arbeloa, Coentrão, Marcelo and Nacho.
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Essien, Khedira, Kaka, Modric, Özil, Callejón and Di María.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuain and Morata.

Did he manage to go celebrate with Nando last night?….The smile, the bed head, all signs of WATISH!

I want to see this little monster tossed in the air tomorrow.

At the end of they boys’ training session, they were paid a visit by golfer, Sergio Garcia. This Sergio is not to be confused with the other, former scrunchie wearing, Sergio Garcia….this guy is actually kind of cute! Well, Sergio “The golfer” Garcia is an honorary club member & he stopped by to wish our team good luck and spend some time ogling Xabi. Go on man, you’ve got good taste!

Is it safe to say that this is the kind of face we’d be sporting when meeting the Xabi Alonso?

When the fangirling sesh was over, Xabi got xatty (get it?) with Realmadrid.com, discussing tomorrow’s final & not only the desire to win it but the desire to get super drunk and stick his hand down his shorts…a la post WC win….ok, maybe he didn’t say those things or maybe those parts of the interview were edited out. Who’s to know for sure?

From Realmadrid.com

This Friday Xabi Alonso will experience his first single-leg final in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. The Real midfielder knows that it “will be a different match” from those that are usually “played at home”, making it clear to Realmadrid.com and Realmadrid TV that his team will do everything possible to defeat Atletico to win the Copa del Rey: “We’re going to give our all to win the final. We feel confident and in good form. We want to win this title and all our ambition is focused on winning it. All the ingredients are there to make it a great night and we hope that we end it feeling good, happy and with the title in our hands.”

Making it to the Copa final requires a lot of work, but finals are played to win……

It’s a long road to get here, with difficult moments and you know that a small detail can leave you out of the competition. And we’re where we wanted to be, in the final. It should be a very exciting match. It’s a derby against Atletico, in the same city and in our stadium, but it will be different from the games that we usually play at home. All the ingredients are there to make it a great night and we hope that we end it feeling good, happy and with the title in our hands.

The stadium is divided in half, but your fans, just like they did against Borussia Dortmund, will demonstrate that they’re always there.

It’s going to be different. Unconsciously we’re going to think that we’re playing at home, but then the atmosphere is going to be different because the crowd will be split. We hope to enjoy it and that it won’t be a problem.

You’ll arrive by Concha Espina Avenue, just like you did in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. What do you remember from that moment? Would you like to repeat it?

Of course. The crowd made it a great match that day because we noticed from the start how they believed in us and in the comeback. We were so close, which is why we were left with this feeling of sadness for making it so far but not being able to reach our goal in the end, which was to play in the final. We have the chance to redeem ourselves with this final and I’m sure that the fans are going to enjoy it. Despite playing in Madrid, the atmosphere and the lead-up to the Copa final is something to experience. I hope that it will be a good show.

The squad has always responded in the finals, as demonstrated against Barcelona in the Mestalla.

The confidence is also in the team. We’re in good form. It’s a final and, even though we couldn’t win La Liga or the Champions we want the Copa and all our ambition is focused on winning it. It’s 90 minutes a priori, though it can go longer. We’re going to give our all to win it.

How are you going to take to the pitch to fight for the title?

If we play a good match and are on form we’re going to have chances to win the match, but Atletico has a very competitive team that will face the match with the same determination as we do. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them and we can’t let them feel comfortable.

Finally, what message would you give to the fans that have supported you throughout the season?

Above all I’d express my gratitude. We’ve felt their support in difficult times and we’ve been close to enjoy it more. Despite being a match in Madrid, I would tell them to try and enjoy the lead-up to the Copa final and that I hope they can enjoy how we play the match.

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Sergio also spoke to the press ahead of tomorrow’s match, having this to say:

We know the opponent and know it will be a tough game especially when you play for a title. We must be very demanding with ourselves and give the maximum. We must defend this shield. We want to return the love to the fans by winning the Copa del Rey. 

The last thing we should care are the rumors that have been created. The important thing is Real Madrid, which is above us. When you play for a title no one is above it. We opted to prepare for the final and we’re looking forward to tomorrow to add another title to the list of winners.

In the end there are no favorites. Both teams have done enough to be there. After our exit in the Champions League its’ an added extra and arrived in good time. In the end there is no excuse, you play to win them and that’s the attitude of us all.

If you’re nervous about tomorrow, enjoy these pics that Sergio, Ozi, & Marcelo posted. Look into the pretty faces & let only the pretty occupy your minds. Ohmmmmmmmmm. Or do what I’m doing and wonder who the hell gave Sami a flat iron!! It’s looking too…..flat ironed-ish & perfectly placed…I don’t like it.

As Marcelo said – MAKE JOKES, NO STRESS, LOVE, LIVE, LIFE PROCEED PROGRESS.

“Hey….I named my baby after you…baby.”

Big bebe news today! Carlota tweeted that bebe RAUL has arrived! What a giant bromantic step that is, naming your first born son after your lurver…ooooh! Does this mean Carlota & Albiol are sister wives now, like Sergio & Olalla?? YES! Well, I just hope, hope, hope, that bebe Raul takes after his sister & looks as elderly as she does. Can’t wait to see him!

There’s more Game of Hope goodness to enjoy today. Michael Essien posted a third video promoting his event, this time featuring Varane, Benz, Kaka, & Carvalho. I can’t get enough of these videos & the way the Portuguese say “OPE!” I really OPE there are more to come, we need to see Sergio & Iker speak some spanglish.

 

So….have you ever wanted to see our boys play with peanuts? Yeah, I didn’t either, but check out this ad by Dua Kelinci peanuts. They’re an official sponsor of the club and this is the ad they went with. I always wonder about the people who approve these sorts of things….

 

Let’s switch gears & dish a little about some English headlines. First up, a little interview of Nando’s after yesterday’s Europa League win.

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In other, awesome news, the FA announced today that beginning next season, players who speak racial or discriminatory abuse to another will be faced with the minimum of a five match ban. Longer bans will be dealt for higher offenses and those found guilty will have to attend educational programs. I’m so glad the FA is taking a strict stance on this issue. This kind of action needs to be used in all leagues.

So…..boo to me for not ending on a happier note, but at least we’re ending with a beautiful & talented man. I’m sure you’ve all heard, David Beckham announced his retirement today. He spoke with Sky Sports & also posted a long note on his facebook page. He said in his interview that he wanted to go out on top and you can’t really blame the guy for that. He’s had a long, successful career, at many clubs, and we wish him all the best in the future & we’re excited to see what that holds for him…..may it include many more H&M campaigns. 😉

I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level. If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy. I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams.

To this day, one of my proudest achievements is captaining my country. I knew every time I wore the Three Lions shirt, I was not only following in a long line of great players, I was also representing every fan that cared passionately about their country. I’m honoured to represent England both on and off the pitch.

I wouldn’t have achieved what I have done today without my family. I’m grateful for my parents’ sacrifice, which made me realise my dreams. I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period. I also want to thank Simon Fuller and his team for their continued support.

I want to thank all my team-mates, the great managers that I had the pleasure of learning from. I also want to thank the fans who have all supported me and given me the strength to succeed.

Nothing will ever completely replace playing the game I love, however I feel like I’m starting a new adventure and I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. I’m fortunate to have been given many opportunities throughout my career and now I feel it’s my time to give back.

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-Maisougio