Late (sorry, rage consumed me) Post-Sevilla round-up.
Mourinho: "I am extremely proud of coaching these men and this team."
Just when I was positive I couldn't possibly love this man more, he goes and gives an interview like this. Okay, I know it sounds like I'm going overboard, but Cris once said that Mourinho was such a source of pride to his country that he might as well have been the Portuguese flag, and I feel exactly the same way. Mou can be the most ridiculous and dramatic and comical and reactive person on earth, but he's also unwaveringly dedicated to his sport and his teams. His reaction to last night's farce just cements that to me.
Okay, testimonials aside, Mou addressed the refereeing fiasco, his deep fondness and pride for his team, Inter, the crowd,the plight of the people who so desperately want to see us fail, and defending the squad, the crowd.
"My team is from another world. It has otherworldly character. It did the impossible with the absence of important men. I am more than happy with my side. It's a shame we have to play on Wednesday because my men deserve a holiday after the hard work they've done these past few months."
"I am calm thanks to the excellent work all my players did tonight. The match had the perfect conditions for Barcelona's cushion over us to grow larger. We lacked two players for practically doing nothing wrong against Zaragoza. Tonight's victory will be very frustrating for those who wanted us to lag 4 or 5 points behind Barcelona. This makes us stronger. Everything was ripe for us to drop points, but we didn't."
"I'm not tired of doing things I like to do, like training and playing. I don't feel any pressure, but I do get tired when I get a list that points out 13 serious mistakes made by the referee tonight and to have to defend my team. My team has to be defended because it deserves to. I'd rather ask for a meeting with the President. We speak every week. We will talk about my life during the period I've been coaching Real Madrid. We have a right to have differences of opinion. I want to defend Real Madrid and my team."
"I have a fantastic side, both on and off the pitch. We've been working very hard for six months and we've only earned one bad result. We've been playing quality football, earning good results and showcasing drive and devotion all this time. I am extremely proud to coach these players and this team."
"The stadium is always packed and the crowd always supports the team. People aren't stupid and they know this squad gives its all. I would prefer they cheered more, but I have no right to ask more of them. It's all down to coming from different cultures in what regards behaviour at a stadium, that's all."
"I am very happy and feel very proud for Inter Milan's success in the FIFA Club World Cup. It was a great pleasure to train them, just as it is to coach Real Madrid. I thought Rafa Benitez would thank me for practically winning the title for him, but... Inter Milan fans would tell you how they really feel about it."
Okay, so he manages to get a little sassiness in there too, but I'd be worried if he didn't. To say that last night was frustrating would be an amazing understatement. I'm still reeling from how incredibly disgraceful the officiating was. I've been watching football for a long time, but I can't think of very many games that were refereed as shamefully. I'm trying to be proud of the result and laugh off the nonsense - because what else can do you? - but it was absolutely disgusting. That said, it also brought out Mou's deep and abiding passion for this team, the players, and the fans. I am so fucking proud to have him at the helm in times of trouble, because the are few people more qualified for the challenge. SO SUCK ON THAT, HATERS.
Casillas: "The referee gave an unfortunate performance."
YOU SHALL NOT PASS.Casillas:
"The match was difficult from the start. Sevilla complicated things for us by positioning themselves well on the pitch. It's been a constant to-and-fro. Sevilla have always been barbaric bitches an uncomfortable opponent at the Bernabeu. We relied on epic character and Di Maria was cheeky enough to take three very important points in our pursuit of Barcelona."
"Referee Clos Gomez gave an unfortunate performance, but he's done a very good job in the past. He didn't allow us to discuss decisions with him tonight and I think discussions are essential on a football pitch."
" We are only two points behind Barcelona. It's just one game. We have to keep on winning to put pressure on them. We are on the right path and we'll see what happens next year. We are now concentrating on our Copa del Rey match, in which we hope to do well in order to be more relaxed in our return leg in Valencia."
Sergio:
"These three points are glorious given the circumstances. I felt fine during the match. My knee responded well to training for a couple of days. It's natural to feel a bit tired after a game, but I'm very happy nonetheless."
"I've been playing elite football for many years and competition within the squad is always positive. I have to agree with the coach when it comes to that. No one is an unquestionable starter. We all have to work hard to make the lineup. I work hard every day with the excitement of learning something new. I felt well again on the pitch tonight and that's the path I must follow."
Granero:
"I'd rather not talk about the referee. The match was complicated. It was very tense, as always against Sevilla, but these things happen in football. As the coach said, we had to win. We fought for victory when we were one man down."
Arbeloa:
The match slipped through the referee's fingers. I don't like to talk about referees, but I think that sending off a Real Madrid player and showing so many yellow cards at the Bernabeu reflects a personality symptom. The match grew complicated when Carvalho was sent off, but the fans helped us considerably. We just want referees to do a fair job."
Pedro Leon:
"Referees are only human and can make mistakes, but what counts is that they are sportsmen too. It is sometimes good for them to talk to players, like other referees do. The ref tonight was too arrogant and the match slipped through his hands."
Di Maria:
"I am happy with the goal, but I'm even happier with the victory."
"The match was complicated and we had to work very hard to win. We only managed to be competitive at times. It's always harder to play when you are one man down, but everyone on the pitch did well. We saw many bookings that were uncalled for, but the referee decided to handle the game that way. The second half flowed better and we pulled off more efforts in attack. The goal allowed us to dominate in the final minutes and the victory is very important to us because it keeps us alive in the fight for the title."
"I didn't think much when I scored, only that it was a goal. I found a narrow opening between Palop and the goal and shot the ball through it to score."
For all of my frustration with Angel's ineffectiveness during the first half of the game, I'm really grateful to him for persevering. Yeah, yeah, I know it should be a given, but people DO get defeated and he didn't and it single-handedly negated all the bullshit we were dealt. I also want to marry Alvaro right now for telling it like it is. What our team said about the referee being closed off to discussions is probably what upset me the most during the match; it's one thing to judge a foul incorrectly, but it's another to penalize the players for pleading their case. Yes, it's important to be respectful, but this isn't a sport where everyone should be relegated to absolute silence, and I seriously doubt that everyone who got a yellow card swore viciously at the referee. Something was very wrong with this guy this game and he wasn't remotely open to the notion that he was going overboard.
From a tactical perspective, I feel that the substitutions made all the difference. Granero and Pedro may not have scored, but they changed the flow and pace of the game instantly. I'd be lying if I said if it didn't make me sigh about the Benzema situation, particularly since we played better with a non-native striker in his place. I feel like I need a "countdown to Pipa/Kaka" calendar.
Before we get to the Match From Hell™, we must celebrate the holidays with the annual Christmas luncheon.
Football and basketball players alike were invited to be terrorized by El Perezidente.
I'mma let you guess who's from which team.
Cris's ensemble looks awfully familiar.
MUST. NOT. HYPERVENTILATE. AT. MIDFIELD. BRILLIANCE. OVERLOAD.
Mou marvels at his designer whore of a winger.
Heaven meets hell, pretty much. DON'T SIGN ANY CONTRACTS, RICKY.
One of these outfits is not like the other.
Cris is not pleased that Pepe stole his scarf.
The tall, the legendary, and Iker's collar.
Asking Kaka to stop smiling is like asking the sun to stop shining.
I want to put this picture on my mantle. I also want Mou's watch.
Why is there never any food on the plates?
Why is Sergio so dapper?
Why is Zizou so glorious? These are the questions of our lives.
O look who was paired up for the children hospital visits! (Also, Higuaray!)
No, for srs, it was totally random.
And if you believe that, I have some land in Florida to sell you.
Why so Gone With The Wind, Cris?
Mou continues to be The Shadow, Aitor is not impressed by the fuckery.
Note to Benz: if you are not Ronaldo, do not try this.
Can you feel the sarcasm in this clap?
Yeah, you'd best throw your hands up in defeat.
This is no time for nipple grabbing.
Man of the match, IMO, this boy was fierce and saved our collective asses 5 times.
Iker knows it.
O look it's a primary color wheel.
IT STILL AIN'T GONNA SUCK ITSELF.
Oh no you did not just touch my Portuguese.
You know you've got an anger management problem when your shirt comes half-way off.
I ain't even mad, tho.
Why you gotta be like that?
Alvaro attempts the much-overlooked double leg glomp.
Remember, Pepe, a Portuguese discovered Fabiano's country.
Crouching Ramos, hidden logic.
Plz to not molest our Argentines.
This isn't a yellow or anything.
Fuck wit, I hate Sevilla almost as much as I do Atleti/Benfica and they aren't even one of my rivals.
LOOK AT THIS INSTIGATING MOTHERFUCKER.
Fair play in the flesh!
They can't stop our Porturomance.
You aren't going to out fingerduel Lass. You just aren't.
This is one squat away from a "GUTI!"
BESOSSSS.
Stop trying to make red card happen.
Defying gravity, pretentious Cules, and bullshit officiating since 1902.
Chills.
I ain't celebrating no goals.
I couldn't be any calmer if I tried.
No, really, I'm not.
RUN LIKE THE WIND, LITTLE LION.
This hurts my heart. COME INTO MY COCOON OF LOVE, RICKY2.
God, Cris, why your ankle gotta run into his face?
Outmuscling French fighting machines is always a fruitless endeavor.
It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Superbeloa!
Is that sweat or did Sergio borrow Cris's mousse?
I'm going with the latter.
Cris sums up all of our feelings.
Sergio channels his inner Flamenco.
Now you're putting your calf in people's boots!
Angel feels so violated.
3 Ninjas was Serhio's favorite movie as a child.
Cris wishes he could butt bump like that.
Or at least not get dogged by an angry brute.
You know you're good when errybody's afraid of your freekicks.
At least Benz provided some oglable buns of steel.
You're really slipping in bitchface department.
Thankfully Mou covers for you with his blanching.
I is too happy to be clever.
Thirteen, that's THIRTEEN mistakes.
Palop does his best Valdes.
This is the back of a proud Captain.
Even the turf can't keep up with me.
Behold the facepalm. Mou is really getting his emoticon on.
I approve of your defiant goal.
Carding Ozil (or Kaka) is like kicking a puppy.
For España.
IT'S KOWOM BONZOMA.
Where is my gif, achitophel?
PIGGY BACK RIDES FOR ALL.
Mou knows where to give blame where blame is due.
And master the art of glowering.
And laugh when sense takes a vacation.
Question(s) of the day: 1) The transfer window approaches. You're Perez. What do you do other than eat our cantera? 2) Who do we play for the Copa? 3) Is there life on Mars?
Match download, if you need a dose of absurdity.
Click to viewJust when I was positive I couldn't possibly love this man more, he goes and gives an interview like this. Okay, I know it sounds like I'm going overboard, but Cris once said that Mourinho was such a source of pride to his country that he might as well have been the Portuguese flag, and I feel exactly the same way. Mou can be the most ridiculous and dramatic and comical and reactive person on earth, but he's also unwaveringly dedicated to his sport and his teams. His reaction to last night's farce just cements that to me.
Okay, testimonials aside, Mou addressed the refereeing fiasco, his deep fondness and pride for his team, Inter, the crowd,the plight of the people who so desperately want to see us fail, and defending the squad, the crowd.
"My team is from another world. It has otherworldly character. It did the impossible with the absence of important men. I am more than happy with my side. It's a shame we have to play on Wednesday because my men deserve a holiday after the hard work they've done these past few months."
"I am calm thanks to the excellent work all my players did tonight. The match had the perfect conditions for Barcelona's cushion over us to grow larger. We lacked two players for practically doing nothing wrong against Zaragoza. Tonight's victory will be very frustrating for those who wanted us to lag 4 or 5 points behind Barcelona. This makes us stronger. Everything was ripe for us to drop points, but we didn't."
"I'm not tired of doing things I like to do, like training and playing. I don't feel any pressure, but I do get tired when I get a list that points out 13 serious mistakes made by the referee tonight and to have to defend my team. My team has to be defended because it deserves to. I'd rather ask for a meeting with the President. We speak every week. We will talk about my life during the period I've been coaching Real Madrid. We have a right to have differences of opinion. I want to defend Real Madrid and my team."
"I have a fantastic side, both on and off the pitch. We've been working very hard for six months and we've only earned one bad result. We've been playing quality football, earning good results and showcasing drive and devotion all this time. I am extremely proud to coach these players and this team."
"The stadium is always packed and the crowd always supports the team. People aren't stupid and they know this squad gives its all. I would prefer they cheered more, but I have no right to ask more of them. It's all down to coming from different cultures in what regards behaviour at a stadium, that's all."
"I am very happy and feel very proud for Inter Milan's success in the FIFA Club World Cup. It was a great pleasure to train them, just as it is to coach Real Madrid. I thought Rafa Benitez would thank me for practically winning the title for him, but... Inter Milan fans would tell you how they really feel about it."
Okay, so he manages to get a little sassiness in there too, but I'd be worried if he didn't. To say that last night was frustrating would be an amazing understatement. I'm still reeling from how incredibly disgraceful the officiating was. I've been watching football for a long time, but I can't think of very many games that were refereed as shamefully. I'm trying to be proud of the result and laugh off the nonsense - because what else can do you? - but it was absolutely disgusting. That said, it also brought out Mou's deep and abiding passion for this team, the players, and the fans. I am so fucking proud to have him at the helm in times of trouble, because the are few people more qualified for the challenge. SO SUCK ON THAT, HATERS.
Casillas: "The referee gave an unfortunate performance."
YOU SHALL NOT PASS.Casillas:
"The match was difficult from the start. Sevilla complicated things for us by positioning themselves well on the pitch. It's been a constant to-and-fro. Sevilla have always been barbaric bitches an uncomfortable opponent at the Bernabeu. We relied on epic character and Di Maria was cheeky enough to take three very important points in our pursuit of Barcelona."
"Referee Clos Gomez gave an unfortunate performance, but he's done a very good job in the past. He didn't allow us to discuss decisions with him tonight and I think discussions are essential on a football pitch."
" We are only two points behind Barcelona. It's just one game. We have to keep on winning to put pressure on them. We are on the right path and we'll see what happens next year. We are now concentrating on our Copa del Rey match, in which we hope to do well in order to be more relaxed in our return leg in Valencia."
Sergio:
"These three points are glorious given the circumstances. I felt fine during the match. My knee responded well to training for a couple of days. It's natural to feel a bit tired after a game, but I'm very happy nonetheless."
"I've been playing elite football for many years and competition within the squad is always positive. I have to agree with the coach when it comes to that. No one is an unquestionable starter. We all have to work hard to make the lineup. I work hard every day with the excitement of learning something new. I felt well again on the pitch tonight and that's the path I must follow."
Granero:
"I'd rather not talk about the referee. The match was complicated. It was very tense, as always against Sevilla, but these things happen in football. As the coach said, we had to win. We fought for victory when we were one man down."
Arbeloa:
The match slipped through the referee's fingers. I don't like to talk about referees, but I think that sending off a Real Madrid player and showing so many yellow cards at the Bernabeu reflects a personality symptom. The match grew complicated when Carvalho was sent off, but the fans helped us considerably. We just want referees to do a fair job."
Pedro Leon:
"Referees are only human and can make mistakes, but what counts is that they are sportsmen too. It is sometimes good for them to talk to players, like other referees do. The ref tonight was too arrogant and the match slipped through his hands."
Di Maria:
"I am happy with the goal, but I'm even happier with the victory."
"The match was complicated and we had to work very hard to win. We only managed to be competitive at times. It's always harder to play when you are one man down, but everyone on the pitch did well. We saw many bookings that were uncalled for, but the referee decided to handle the game that way. The second half flowed better and we pulled off more efforts in attack. The goal allowed us to dominate in the final minutes and the victory is very important to us because it keeps us alive in the fight for the title."
"I didn't think much when I scored, only that it was a goal. I found a narrow opening between Palop and the goal and shot the ball through it to score."
For all of my frustration with Angel's ineffectiveness during the first half of the game, I'm really grateful to him for persevering. Yeah, yeah, I know it should be a given, but people DO get defeated and he didn't and it single-handedly negated all the bullshit we were dealt. I also want to marry Alvaro right now for telling it like it is. What our team said about the referee being closed off to discussions is probably what upset me the most during the match; it's one thing to judge a foul incorrectly, but it's another to penalize the players for pleading their case. Yes, it's important to be respectful, but this isn't a sport where everyone should be relegated to absolute silence, and I seriously doubt that everyone who got a yellow card swore viciously at the referee. Something was very wrong with this guy this game and he wasn't remotely open to the notion that he was going overboard.
From a tactical perspective, I feel that the substitutions made all the difference. Granero and Pedro may not have scored, but they changed the flow and pace of the game instantly. I'd be lying if I said if it didn't make me sigh about the Benzema situation, particularly since we played better with a non-native striker in his place. I feel like I need a "countdown to Pipa/Kaka" calendar.
Before we get to the Match From Hell™, we must celebrate the holidays with the annual Christmas luncheon.
Football and basketball players alike were invited to be terrorized by El Perezidente.
I'mma let you guess who's from which team.
Cris's ensemble looks awfully familiar.
MUST. NOT. HYPERVENTILATE. AT. MIDFIELD. BRILLIANCE. OVERLOAD.
Mou marvels at his designer whore of a winger.
Heaven meets hell, pretty much. DON'T SIGN ANY CONTRACTS, RICKY.
One of these outfits is not like the other.
Cris is not pleased that Pepe stole his scarf.
The tall, the legendary, and Iker's collar.
Asking Kaka to stop smiling is like asking the sun to stop shining.
I want to put this picture on my mantle. I also want Mou's watch.
Why is there never any food on the plates?
Why is Sergio so dapper?
Why is Zizou so glorious? These are the questions of our lives.
O look who was paired up for the children hospital visits! (Also, Higuaray!)
No, for srs, it was totally random.
And if you believe that, I have some land in Florida to sell you.
Why so Gone With The Wind, Cris?
Mou continues to be The Shadow, Aitor is not impressed by the fuckery.
Note to Benz: if you are not Ronaldo, do not try this.
Can you feel the sarcasm in this clap?
Yeah, you'd best throw your hands up in defeat.
This is no time for nipple grabbing.
Man of the match, IMO, this boy was fierce and saved our collective asses 5 times.
Iker knows it.
O look it's a primary color wheel.
IT STILL AIN'T GONNA SUCK ITSELF.
Oh no you did not just touch my Portuguese.
You know you've got an anger management problem when your shirt comes half-way off.
I ain't even mad, tho.
Why you gotta be like that?
Alvaro attempts the much-overlooked double leg glomp.
Remember, Pepe, a Portuguese discovered Fabiano's country.
Crouching Ramos, hidden logic.
Plz to not molest our Argentines.
This isn't a yellow or anything.
Fuck wit, I hate Sevilla almost as much as I do Atleti/Benfica and they aren't even one of my rivals.
LOOK AT THIS INSTIGATING MOTHERFUCKER.
Fair play in the flesh!
They can't stop our Porturomance.
You aren't going to out fingerduel Lass. You just aren't.
This is one squat away from a "GUTI!"
BESOSSSS.
Stop trying to make red card happen.
Defying gravity, pretentious Cules, and bullshit officiating since 1902.
Chills.
I ain't celebrating no goals.
I couldn't be any calmer if I tried.
No, really, I'm not.
RUN LIKE THE WIND, LITTLE LION.
This hurts my heart. COME INTO MY COCOON OF LOVE, RICKY2.
God, Cris, why your ankle gotta run into his face?
Outmuscling French fighting machines is always a fruitless endeavor.
It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Superbeloa!
Is that sweat or did Sergio borrow Cris's mousse?
I'm going with the latter.
Cris sums up all of our feelings.
Sergio channels his inner Flamenco.
Now you're putting your calf in people's boots!
Angel feels so violated.
3 Ninjas was Serhio's favorite movie as a child.
Cris wishes he could butt bump like that.
Or at least not get dogged by an angry brute.
You know you're good when errybody's afraid of your freekicks.
At least Benz provided some oglable buns of steel.
You're really slipping in bitchface department.
Thankfully Mou covers for you with his blanching.
I is too happy to be clever.
Thirteen, that's THIRTEEN mistakes.
Palop does his best Valdes.
This is the back of a proud Captain.
Even the turf can't keep up with me.
Behold the facepalm. Mou is really getting his emoticon on.
I approve of your defiant goal.
Carding Ozil (or Kaka) is like kicking a puppy.
For España.
IT'S KOWOM BONZOMA.
Where is my gif, achitophel?
PIGGY BACK RIDES FOR ALL.
Mou knows where to give blame where blame is due.
And master the art of glowering.
And laugh when sense takes a vacation.
Question(s) of the day: 1) The transfer window approaches. You're Perez. What do you do other than eat our cantera? 2) Who do we play for the Copa? 3) Is there life on Mars?
Match download, if you need a dose of absurdity.