The team held their final training at UCLA today before flying to Miami. They will be arriving at their hotel at 11 PM Eastern.
Has anyone else noticed how regimented the trainings seem to be under Ancelotti? It’s always interested to see how new coaches structure things.
Illara and Di Maria trained on a separate field. Cris & Benz trained in the gym.
What is Nando going to say when they’re reunited?! I shudder to think. And I bet Sara is thrilled that Iker is out of town right now. Can you imagine how “helpful” he would be during morning sickness? (He’s probably read every book on the subject and has a wealth of homeopathic remedies.) And when your hormones are going apeshit and you look over at your man and his eyes well up with tears as he keeps playing Paul Anka’s Having My Baby on repeat? Yeah, I think she’s probably enjoying some alone time right now. 😉
The guys also posed with a group of people who, I believe, are UCLA staff (someone please correct me if this isn’t right!)
Here’s Sese signing for the fans (as ever) and a few extra practice shots via GFSports.
And then they were off to Miami…
A couple of quick bits & bobs from their time in California…
Morata and Isco got their time with JLo while several of the guys met Shaquille O’Neal. To his credit, Shaq doesn’t seem to be digging Sergio’s hair either! Arbeloa looks so excited! Cris also posed with Pepe & Fabio while Sergio made a young fan’s day.
BTW, Mesut showed off some more designs from his new Adidas logo collection on Facebook and…I think Sergio would enjoy wearing them. Ahem.
And that’s all for tonight! Tomorrow Miami goodies.
– Lozil
I’m not sure who those folks are but they’re not the UCLA peeps I saw Friday. Still jealous that they’re up close to my favorites.
And I think you’re right on re: iker. My theory is that he seemed grouchy because he’d rather be home with Sara. Butttttt I got to meet him late Saturday and he was very sweet and friendly.
Aw! TELL ALL!
I’ll email the HB&HB acct with the deets. It was surreal!
Cannot wait for this!
Thanks – I wish I could see the logos on their shirts better.
Hey! Didn’t you have some adventures to share with us?
The ppl in yellow? Aren’t they the cart drivers? I saw that one of the girls posted a picture of herself with Mesut’s training jersey on instagram, saying he gave it to her as a “thank you.”
To all of you who got see/meet them: please share!! I’m all alone in Brazil, counting the days to the start of the season, so anything you’ve got to share is greatly appreciated… Buut I can’t wait for Wednesday’s match, I think it’ll be great!!!
Oh I’m so jealous you live in Brazil. I’d love to live there. A little island off of Salvador!
I love that Pepe’s growing his hair out!
“And when your hormones are going apeshit and you look over at your man and his eyes well up with tears as he keeps playing Paul Anka’s Having My Baby on repeat?”
Jeez Lozil, some warning would be nice next time. I’ve just done a spit-take and can’t stop laughing!
It was so lovely meeting all of you yesterday! And we should totally do an El Clasico get-together. Late October, so plenty of time to figure things out.
I wish the Bernabeu leg of the Clasico was in March instead of October. I just got back from Madrid. Not sure I can afford another trip so quick! 😦
“Has anyone else noticed how regimented the trainings seem to be under Ancelotti?”
YES. It’s sharp, it’s fast, and it delights me to no end- that’s my opinion on it. And pretty much all the training they’ve done without a ball has mimicked sprinting training. I love that because, well, I’m a sprinter and I’m horribly biased, but also because I’m imagining the results come the regular season. Ancelotti said he wants spectacular and attacking football, and i think this is a good way to get it.
Ancelotti doesn’t look too amused by Sergio’s hair. I wonder if personal grooming will also become regimented….
If it were, then the boys wearing their white kits will look like the Star Wars Imperial Forces.
can’t you just hear Ancellotti? Any hair colrs that make me, or anyone else squint is a no no….. 🙂 Can’t wait to see the boys tomorrow! It’s KILLING me knowing they are a mere few miles away from me now!
Oh god. I’m both terrified and intrigued by that thought. The geek in me was like “Star Wars?! YES!”
I have always thought of RM as the Imperial Forces as most of the Real Madrid players are tall and lean. On the other hand, to me, Barca, with all shapes and sizes, looks like the motley troop of Asterix and Obelix.
I don’t know Asterix and Obelix but I had a friend say something about it once when she saw a photo I’d taken of a MotoGP racer…
Here’s a link to Asterix and Obelix and their band of fellows:

Sergio looks good in that cap!