Post-Levante round-up, love edition.
Mourinho: "We thrilled the crowd, but they also thrilled us."
FUCK YES BITCHES. Ahem, I mean, that was a highly gratifying game. Just in case you live in a cave and don't know the scoreline, I won't mention it here, but if you missed it, I only have one thing to say to you: DOWNLOAD IT NOW. It'll make your day, guaranteed or your money back, S&H not included.
Mou is a satisfied Mou. Following our decisive victory, he spoke of our fans, the Levante squad, our record and his first 6 months in Madrid, Benzema's performance, Morata's introduction, and a little deal he made with the players regarding a reward for the margin of victory. He also touched on his relationship with Valdano, which came somewhat into question when he protested the lack of defense of the club and Valdano took issue with it, prompting Perez to declare that Valdano was "the face of the team" and that occasional "accidental" statements from a coach were to be expected. Yeah, I'm not thrilled about that either, but c'est la vie, onward we go!
"We thrilled the crowd, but it also thrilled us. It was a beautiful and fun game, especially for the younger crowd at the stadium tonight."
"I'm sorry for Levante's professionals because it is always harsh to lose this way, but I'm happy with the way we sealed the year. We've won 20 of our 25 official games, drawn 4 and lost only one. My men played a serious game tonight and that's the only way to earn such a victory."
"I have no personal problems with anybody. I think it's natural to have occasional differences of opinion at a club with so many people working in it. I have no personal problems with anybody. Small differences can be resolved by communicating with one another."
"My relationship with Valdano is not bad. I'm not here to talk about this and never throughout my career have I worried about image issues. My main concern has always been to have happy, devoted, disciplined and professional teams. I've always wanted sides that could never be criticised by their clubs for not being serious. This is my duty to Real Madrid and its supporters. There are no personal problems here. I'll soon be gone the day I start having any. I intend to see my four year-contract through because I have a very good relationship with everyone here."
"What matters is that Benzema played well today. He ran deep to support his team-mates in the very first minute and, when you start a game like that, the natural thing is to eventually give a great performance. Scoring goals is a matter of small details. He played a good game and the only reason I replaced him was because I wanted Morata to feel the Bernabeu crowd."
"Before the game started, my men asked me if I would allow them to spend the night of 5 January at home with their families if they won 4-0. I jokingly replied we would travel the day of the match if the scored 6. We will travel on the day of the match, not as a sign of disrespect to our opponent (after all, we drew our league match there), but because we feel it is important for Spaniards to spend that time at home."
I definitely get the impression that Mou was happier with this game than others as of late, in that I think he's recovered from his shell-shockedness after the Clasico. And, well, Sevilla wasn't exactly a PARTY FOR THE AGES. Benz really needed this game and, while I'm still skeptical of his performance in high-pressure matches, I think he really saved his ass by putting on a great performance in this one. Mou is once again a brilliant manager for keeping it positive and trying to boost his confidence, regardless of how (dis)pleased he is with his players' records. If ever there were a master of player psychology and motivation, it's Mou. It's obviously worked: he's thrilled with our record, and so am I.
I've gotta say that I'm annoyed with Perez (OMG NO WAI!!! first time ever, clearly) for elevating Valdano above Mou, because I don't like notes of discord in my team. It's also ridic because, as Ray said, the coach is ultimately the face of the team and you can't (or shouldn't) usurp that command. But this is Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine we're dealing with here, so I'm not exactly fainting in disbelief over here.
.
Marcelo: "Our objective was to score as many goals as we could."
Benz thanks you for your time.Marcelo:
"We had to score as many goals as we could to make the return leg easier. Our objective was to start strong and to let Levante know it. We must now rest and return to work after the holidays."
"I am working very hard this season and I hope to keep it up and improve on a daily basis. The holidays will do me a lot of good because I will see my family and I will rest."
"Morata played tonight and I am very happy with how the academy is helping us out. It is very important to them."
Granero:
"We were very serious and it made us grow confident. That's why we played a great game. I am very satisfied with our performance and the score. We will have to do our best to win the return leg, forgetting what we did here tonight. Our forwards guarantee many goals for us and they will also try to score in the next game."
Benzema:
"I felt great affection from the standing ovation I received from the crowd. It was a natural reaction, especially after scoring three goals, but I am nevertheless very happy for it."
[Cristiano and Benzema signed the ball and gave it to Morata, more on this below!] "He was very happy. I'm going to work very hard to score more hat-tricks and keep more balls."
"We could have scored 9 or 10 goals given the chances we had, but that's how games go. I ask the new year to bring me many goals. I hope to spend a happy Christmas and achieve this when I get back."
I was delighted with pretty much everybody today, especially the boys above. Benz really put on a performance and showed that he's capable of magic if he focuses and doesn't let the pressure overwhelm him. Granero was great support as always, and Marcelo has evolved into such a fantastic left-back. Save for maybe Lahm, I honestly can't think of a left-back I'd rather have right now, because I feel he's both a game-saver and a positive influence on morale, not to mention 1/3 of the Portuguese-speaking welcoming community.
Speaking of Cris: anyone who thinks he's a selfish player is crazy. There are some games that he takes more shots than others (and that is, in fact, what he's paid to do), but the man is a team player and I shake my head at anyone who can't see how hard he tried to give Benz confidence via providing goals today.
Morata: "It was amazing to hear the Bernabeu chant my name."
Morata:
"I am very happy because we earned a great victory and made the knockout stage easier for ourselves."
"I was a bit disappointed because I really wanted to score my first goal with the team."
[The squad signed the ball of the match and gave it to him. Ronaldo wrote: "Don't worry, you will score many more goals."] "It was an incredible gesture from all of them."
"It was amazing to hear the Bernabeu chant my name. Several Castilla players have made their first team debut this season and it's great that people support us. I am a Real Madrid Castilla player and my only objective is to make good use of all the chances I get."
Yeah, yeah, I'm going to fangirl Cris for a moment, because this is the story (ty for the heads up onionviper) that goes along with the signed ball:
Morata was taking a quick shower after the game before he went to meet his parents and girlfriend, when he was told that Cristiano and Benz wanted to see him. Cris was holding the ball and a marker, so Morata assumed that he expected him to sign the ball, since that's the tradition for hat tricks. Instead, he discovered that the rest of the squad had signed the ball and Cris had written a personal message for him telling him to be patient, because he was destined to score lots of goals at the Bernabeu. Cristiano then told him it was for his bedroom??? O OK, Cris, you been reading about his leg fetish.
If you want to hear the audio, it's at the top of this page. I basically want to adopt this kid, jsyk, so it'd be nice if we didn't sell him.
2 fast, 2 furious 4 u.
Open up for the airplane!
Why you gotta taze me, bro?
Angel's back-up career? Cheerleading.
There's never a bad time for an ass grab.
Stay tuned for Benz's ballet recital following the match.
I coulda been a contender.
Purty. Purty flower!
Benz, you is my woman now.
But... who was... phone???
Don’t forget: I’m just a Portuguese, standing in front of an Argentine, asking him to love him.
Who knew the Charleston was so popular in Argentina?
Come to papa!
Cris indulges his oral fixation.
I love him and I don’t care what you think. I love him for the man he wants to be and I love him for the man he almost is.
Big bucks, big bucks, no whammies, STOP!
If you rub his head enough, does a genie come out?
I will cut you.
Do you smell what the Ozil is cooking?
All Benz ever wanted.
For you I will.
Gum identification needed ASAP.
DOUBLE HEAD RUB, GO!
Iker was appreciating his nap, tyvm.
I kind of feel bad for him except not.
I laugh at your doubts.
Peacemaking isn't just for Xabi anymore.
Here's looking at you, Kaka.
Versatile, fierce, and underrated.
Look at this array of awesome. Now look at your team. Now look back at this array of awesome.
Nah, that ain't a foul or nothing.
Our wall is better than your wall.
Pepe is on this shit like white on rice.
He also frequently mistakes goal celebrations for Pearl Jam concerts.
Sayonara so long.
You can huff and puff but you ain't gonna blow this house down.
Scu' me while I score.
SHAKA!
Tomorrow is another day.
A well-earned fistpump of triumph.
Twinkletoes!
Ur hand's dipping kinda low, Cris.
Watch yoself!
When you bitches gonna learn?
Why god? Why me?
Who is Xabi glaring at?
Whoever it was, he musta cleared it up.
Don't be insecure, Granero. Work that updo.
Xabi gets his hug on!
And partakes in the art of the head rub.
Yeah, I did that.
Win or lose, your smile is so beautiful.
Ozil looks like Marla from A League Of Their Own.
Let's be honest: Morata is getting off on this.
He doesn't mind being the meat in an international sandwich.
Where to, mister? The stars.
Question(s) of the day: 1) 2011 is nearly upon us! What should our team's New Years' resolutions be? 2) Are you worried about internal club management strife? 3) Gosh, I forgot: how many goals did we outscore Barca by this week?
Did I mention that you need to download this???
Morata needs a tag!
Click to viewFUCK YES BITCHES. Ahem, I mean, that was a highly gratifying game. Just in case you live in a cave and don't know the scoreline, I won't mention it here, but if you missed it, I only have one thing to say to you: DOWNLOAD IT NOW. It'll make your day, guaranteed or your money back, S&H not included.
Mou is a satisfied Mou. Following our decisive victory, he spoke of our fans, the Levante squad, our record and his first 6 months in Madrid, Benzema's performance, Morata's introduction, and a little deal he made with the players regarding a reward for the margin of victory. He also touched on his relationship with Valdano, which came somewhat into question when he protested the lack of defense of the club and Valdano took issue with it, prompting Perez to declare that Valdano was "the face of the team" and that occasional "accidental" statements from a coach were to be expected. Yeah, I'm not thrilled about that either, but c'est la vie, onward we go!
"We thrilled the crowd, but it also thrilled us. It was a beautiful and fun game, especially for the younger crowd at the stadium tonight."
"I'm sorry for Levante's professionals because it is always harsh to lose this way, but I'm happy with the way we sealed the year. We've won 20 of our 25 official games, drawn 4 and lost only one. My men played a serious game tonight and that's the only way to earn such a victory."
"I have no personal problems with anybody. I think it's natural to have occasional differences of opinion at a club with so many people working in it. I have no personal problems with anybody. Small differences can be resolved by communicating with one another."
"My relationship with Valdano is not bad. I'm not here to talk about this and never throughout my career have I worried about image issues. My main concern has always been to have happy, devoted, disciplined and professional teams. I've always wanted sides that could never be criticised by their clubs for not being serious. This is my duty to Real Madrid and its supporters. There are no personal problems here. I'll soon be gone the day I start having any. I intend to see my four year-contract through because I have a very good relationship with everyone here."
"What matters is that Benzema played well today. He ran deep to support his team-mates in the very first minute and, when you start a game like that, the natural thing is to eventually give a great performance. Scoring goals is a matter of small details. He played a good game and the only reason I replaced him was because I wanted Morata to feel the Bernabeu crowd."
"Before the game started, my men asked me if I would allow them to spend the night of 5 January at home with their families if they won 4-0. I jokingly replied we would travel the day of the match if the scored 6. We will travel on the day of the match, not as a sign of disrespect to our opponent (after all, we drew our league match there), but because we feel it is important for Spaniards to spend that time at home."
I definitely get the impression that Mou was happier with this game than others as of late, in that I think he's recovered from his shell-shockedness after the Clasico. And, well, Sevilla wasn't exactly a PARTY FOR THE AGES. Benz really needed this game and, while I'm still skeptical of his performance in high-pressure matches, I think he really saved his ass by putting on a great performance in this one. Mou is once again a brilliant manager for keeping it positive and trying to boost his confidence, regardless of how (dis)pleased he is with his players' records. If ever there were a master of player psychology and motivation, it's Mou. It's obviously worked: he's thrilled with our record, and so am I.
I've gotta say that I'm annoyed with Perez (OMG NO WAI!!! first time ever, clearly) for elevating Valdano above Mou, because I don't like notes of discord in my team. It's also ridic because, as Ray said, the coach is ultimately the face of the team and you can't (or shouldn't) usurp that command. But this is Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine we're dealing with here, so I'm not exactly fainting in disbelief over here.
.
Marcelo: "Our objective was to score as many goals as we could."
Benz thanks you for your time.Marcelo:
"We had to score as many goals as we could to make the return leg easier. Our objective was to start strong and to let Levante know it. We must now rest and return to work after the holidays."
"I am working very hard this season and I hope to keep it up and improve on a daily basis. The holidays will do me a lot of good because I will see my family and I will rest."
"Morata played tonight and I am very happy with how the academy is helping us out. It is very important to them."
Granero:
"We were very serious and it made us grow confident. That's why we played a great game. I am very satisfied with our performance and the score. We will have to do our best to win the return leg, forgetting what we did here tonight. Our forwards guarantee many goals for us and they will also try to score in the next game."
Benzema:
"I felt great affection from the standing ovation I received from the crowd. It was a natural reaction, especially after scoring three goals, but I am nevertheless very happy for it."
[Cristiano and Benzema signed the ball and gave it to Morata, more on this below!] "He was very happy. I'm going to work very hard to score more hat-tricks and keep more balls."
"We could have scored 9 or 10 goals given the chances we had, but that's how games go. I ask the new year to bring me many goals. I hope to spend a happy Christmas and achieve this when I get back."
I was delighted with pretty much everybody today, especially the boys above. Benz really put on a performance and showed that he's capable of magic if he focuses and doesn't let the pressure overwhelm him. Granero was great support as always, and Marcelo has evolved into such a fantastic left-back. Save for maybe Lahm, I honestly can't think of a left-back I'd rather have right now, because I feel he's both a game-saver and a positive influence on morale, not to mention 1/3 of the Portuguese-speaking welcoming community.
Speaking of Cris: anyone who thinks he's a selfish player is crazy. There are some games that he takes more shots than others (and that is, in fact, what he's paid to do), but the man is a team player and I shake my head at anyone who can't see how hard he tried to give Benz confidence via providing goals today.
Morata: "It was amazing to hear the Bernabeu chant my name."
Morata:
"I am very happy because we earned a great victory and made the knockout stage easier for ourselves."
"I was a bit disappointed because I really wanted to score my first goal with the team."
[The squad signed the ball of the match and gave it to him. Ronaldo wrote: "Don't worry, you will score many more goals."] "It was an incredible gesture from all of them."
"It was amazing to hear the Bernabeu chant my name. Several Castilla players have made their first team debut this season and it's great that people support us. I am a Real Madrid Castilla player and my only objective is to make good use of all the chances I get."
Yeah, yeah, I'm going to fangirl Cris for a moment, because this is the story (ty for the heads up onionviper) that goes along with the signed ball:
Morata was taking a quick shower after the game before he went to meet his parents and girlfriend, when he was told that Cristiano and Benz wanted to see him. Cris was holding the ball and a marker, so Morata assumed that he expected him to sign the ball, since that's the tradition for hat tricks. Instead, he discovered that the rest of the squad had signed the ball and Cris had written a personal message for him telling him to be patient, because he was destined to score lots of goals at the Bernabeu. Cristiano then told him it was for his bedroom??? O OK, Cris, you been reading about his leg fetish.
If you want to hear the audio, it's at the top of this page. I basically want to adopt this kid, jsyk, so it'd be nice if we didn't sell him.
2 fast, 2 furious 4 u.
Open up for the airplane!
Why you gotta taze me, bro?
Angel's back-up career? Cheerleading.
There's never a bad time for an ass grab.
Stay tuned for Benz's ballet recital following the match.
I coulda been a contender.
Purty. Purty flower!
Benz, you is my woman now.
But... who was... phone???
Don’t forget: I’m just a Portuguese, standing in front of an Argentine, asking him to love him.
Who knew the Charleston was so popular in Argentina?
Come to papa!
Cris indulges his oral fixation.
I love him and I don’t care what you think. I love him for the man he wants to be and I love him for the man he almost is.
Big bucks, big bucks, no whammies, STOP!
If you rub his head enough, does a genie come out?
I will cut you.
Do you smell what the Ozil is cooking?
All Benz ever wanted.
For you I will.
Gum identification needed ASAP.
DOUBLE HEAD RUB, GO!
Iker was appreciating his nap, tyvm.
I kind of feel bad for him except not.
I laugh at your doubts.
Peacemaking isn't just for Xabi anymore.
Here's looking at you, Kaka.
Versatile, fierce, and underrated.
Look at this array of awesome. Now look at your team. Now look back at this array of awesome.
Nah, that ain't a foul or nothing.
Our wall is better than your wall.
Pepe is on this shit like white on rice.
He also frequently mistakes goal celebrations for Pearl Jam concerts.
Sayonara so long.
You can huff and puff but you ain't gonna blow this house down.
Scu' me while I score.
SHAKA!
Tomorrow is another day.
A well-earned fistpump of triumph.
Twinkletoes!
Ur hand's dipping kinda low, Cris.
Watch yoself!
When you bitches gonna learn?
Why god? Why me?
Who is Xabi glaring at?
Whoever it was, he musta cleared it up.
Don't be insecure, Granero. Work that updo.
Xabi gets his hug on!
And partakes in the art of the head rub.
Yeah, I did that.
Win or lose, your smile is so beautiful.
Ozil looks like Marla from A League Of Their Own.
Let's be honest: Morata is getting off on this.
He doesn't mind being the meat in an international sandwich.
Where to, mister? The stars.
Question(s) of the day: 1) 2011 is nearly upon us! What should our team's New Years' resolutions be? 2) Are you worried about internal club management strife? 3) Gosh, I forgot: how many goals did we outscore Barca by this week?
Did I mention that you need to download this???
Morata needs a tag!