Crinkly Ears

( The Mesut-Centric Spam! )
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A Visit With Özil In Madrid

Interview and Feature by Jean-Julien Beer
Kicker Magazine
October 31, 2011
Translated by me, jenny_jenkins

"I want to win all the titles here..."


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Watch this goal carefully and you'll see it is a bit of a wonder-strike. From Mesut's rather beautifully taken corner, Varane used his foot, as he was leaping through the air, to roof the ball into the net off his heel. It was a uniquely beautiful strike in everyway - and historically significant to boot!Mourinho has said in the past that "Ozil always does the simplest things. He makes football look easy, and that's the hardest thing of all."  Mesut's pass to Benzema could be said to sum up that assessment. And Benzema's finish was pure class, of course.

And some other random fellow put it like this -




Benzema was, of course, properly grateful. He gave his other teammates quick high-fives, ran up to Mesut and gave him a thankful cuddle for all that German engineering!














And in a game of so many goals, there were several other on-the-pitch-love-ins of course. Alonso got a high-five -





Mesut congratulated Kaka for his lovely pass to create the second goal and also for the lovely pass that led to Mesut's shot on goal a few moments earlier. (Who said creative playmakers can't play together?)





And when Cris scored the first of his two penalties, it was another nice excuse to get in on some cuddling -






Final score: Real Madrid 6 Rayo Vallecano 2





Press & Commentary

The Real Madrid Website



After the game, Mourinho had the following to say (according to the website):

"Kaka and Ozil played closer to the goal. We didn't have a true number '10' on the pitch, but there were three excellent playmakers out there.  We started pulling off more efforts. It's a shame I had to replace Kaka when we were down to ten men because he was giving a very good  performance.

"Kaka and Ozil have to be prepared both physically and mentally to adapt to play closer to midfield. It isn't easy for them to do this for 90
minutes. It's risky. They have to be fit and aware that Xabi Alonso can't play alone in midfield for 90 minutes. They both responded very well. They created ball movement and covered Rayo's exits. They played well. It was a situation of risk but they transformed it into a positive scenario for the team."





The Spanish Press

El Semanal noted that Mesut's entry into the game was decisive, and that his arrival brough clarity and intelligence to the attack and, in their words "restored harmony".

Emilio Butragueno, speaking to the press after the game as Madrid's director of public relations, spoke of the "output and effectiveness" of Ozil, which allowed the team to get ahead and stay ahead after being down to 10 men after the dismissal of Angel di Maria.

Marca was as typically effusive as we've come to expect when they write about their favourite German, stating that Mesut's arrival "turned night into day."

And from As: "It is a sin to leave Ozil on the bench..."






The German Press

After a week of taking a sort of passive-aggressive enjoyment in Mesut's difficulties over the past week and a half, the German sporting press are back to praising Mesut (all the better to gleefully rip him apart should he ever have two weak games in a row again).

Sueddeutsche Zeitung: "Ozil brought a fresh wind [to Madrid's attack]."

This was precisely the same analogy used by Welt Online whose title was "Ozil bringt für Real Madrid die Wende‎"

And Bild are back to being their usual effusive selves. Taking the cue they received from RealMadrid.com, their headline read: "Ozil and Ronaldo End the Crisis!"





Goal.com

In their write-up of the actual match, Mesut came in for longer praise. Their individual critique of him was as follows:

A fantastic substitute, the German played a flurry of dangerous passes, including a perfect one to set up Benzema.






Training Pictures (September 25, 2011)

The boys were back in practice today with their Champions League game on Tuesday against Ajax (at home) looming.




They were all smiles and it would seem the weather is a little cooler because Mesut has stopped showing off his biceps!






Next Game: Tuesday 20:45 Local Time Against Ajax in the Champions League!






Many thanks to andriy_7 for the unspeakably thorough photographic research. This post (along with all German and Spanish Translations) was written by me, jenny_jenkins. Splendidly beautiful gifs are by albion_lass.


Good Luck Mesut, Good Luck Boys!

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And really, a more beautiful team goal (or series of touches to the ball) you will never see!


As always, much cuddling & happiness resulted!





Most adorably of all, Mesut and Coentrao shared a cuddle before joining the group hug, which only began properly after they arrived.





And the reverse angle (because cuddles are so lovely to watch!) -





Nevertheless, scoreline aside, the game was a bit of a nail-biter - and not only because the prospect of getting to the top of the table was so tantalizing. Getafe equalized just before the half and looked dangerous afterwards. Their second goal came off some of the most comical/bizarre/laughable Madrid defending one can remember in quite a while - with three attempts to clear the ball ultimately landing at the feet of a Getafe striker. A lucky penalty for Madrid (which should have been a free kick), a second goal from Benzema following a killer Crispy assist and a final goal from Higuain spared our blushes and salvaged the three points.

Indeed, Crispy's expression in the following photograph pretty much sums up what many fans must be feeling about the defence in general!



"Why is this defence cramping my style? Why God? Why?"


Madrid move top of the table as a result of the game however. And it is worth reiterating: 4 goals are nothing to be sneezed at! Well done Madrid's forwards!

Mesut played a highly unusual game, going deeper than usual to collect balls. This is likely because Xabi Alonso received a slight knock to his ankle in the early phases of the game and slowed down noticeably afterwards. Also, with Coentrao playing so far forward, he likely found it easier to simply collect the ball himself. It is worth noting however that this is becoming an increasingly common aspect of Mesut's game. It was on view two weeks ago against Zaragoza and against Austria with the Mannschaft - where Mesut began nearly every attacking move nearly on level with his defenders.





And of course, Mesut may simply be collecting balls from further back because teams are increasingly trying to stifle his movement. By becoming less predictable, he is simply making himself harder to man-mark.





Another oddity: photographic evidence of Mesut actually winning a challenge in the air!






Press Reviews -


Unsurprisingly, the press is mostly concerned with the defensive errors that were made, the questionable penalty, and Madrid's good fortune to be top of the table after Barca flopped visiting Real Sociedad.

Nevertheless, Goal.com summed it up pretty well.

Mesut Ozil (7.5) Was always available to receive possession and could always be found hovering on the edge of the box waiting to slip passes through the defence. Also came deeper than usual to receive the ball, which was justas effective as it pushed Getafe back into their own half and allowed Madrid to control possession.

Meanwhile, our friends at Bild are much more interested in the coming match on Wednesday, posting a photo-shopped image of Mesut in the new red jersey to whet their readers's appetites!

Game time: 20:45 on Wednesday! Good Luck Mesut and the boys!

Match report by me, jenny_jenkins, with splendid photographic research from andriy_7

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