Real Madrid play American football in training with Xabi Alonso at quarterback

Real Madrid will play Manchester United at Michigan Stadium on Saturday in front of an expected crowd of 109,000. So to prepare for this event (and perhaps to confuse Man United), Real decided to try their hand at playing American football — without the pads — during a training session at Eastern Michigan University.

Xabi Alonso threw touchdown passes under pressure like Brett Favre and Sergio Ramos avoided tackles like Barry Sanders, while Cristiano Ronaldo presumably chatted up invisible cheerleaders on the sidelines.

So if Real Madrid set up for a free kick against Man United with an offensive line and Xabi barking out audibles, you'll know why.

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Brooks Peck

is the editor of Dirty Tackle on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow on Twitter! Follow @BrooksDT