Rüdiger, Direct to Real Sociedad's Locker Room After the Match: 'viva El Athletic'

Real Madrid secured victory in their visit to Reale Arena thanks to Endrick's goal. The "16" verdeamarelo, around whom some controversy had arisen in recent days, was one of the surprises in Carlo Ancelotti's starting eleven. The Copa del Rey rotations seem to have worked for the Reggiolo coach, as the Taguatinga striker solved a very complicated situation.

Thanks to his goal, they will arrive at the return match at Santiago Bernabéu with a one-goal advantage in the aggregate score of the tie. But one of his teammates, due to something he did after Sánchez Martínez blew the final whistle, is directly competing with him for prominence... and might even have surpassed him with some ease.

As soon as the final whistle blew, the players of Real Sociedad and Real Madrid exchanged jerseys and headed to the locker rooms. But the return to the tunnel, as well as each team's gathering in their respective spaces, was not as peaceful as many expected. It was revealed by Miguel Ángel Díaz on Cadena COPE: "I've been told that at the end of the locker room there was some tension".

The reason for this possible argument was the action of Antonio Rüdiger, who "entered the locker room shouting 'long live Athletic de Bilbao'", another display of his personality. The peculiarities of the German center-back, already known as 'the Crazy One' by the white fans, reappear in one of the most tense moments of the current season.

Unexpected Comment

This reference to the other great Basque team in LaLiga, always with the permission of Deportivo Alavés, is no coincidence and goes beyond the nature of the German "22". Because Antonio Rüdiger has made it clear since his first season wearing the white jersey that one of the best stadiums he has visited is the new San Mamés.

He also doesn't hesitate to acknowledge that Ernesto Valverde's players are always a top-level competitive challenge... and it's one of the teams he most enjoys playing against as the current Real Madrid center-back. The closeness of Rüdiger with the Basque Country's red-and-white entity is well known and takes on special significance in this match against their rivals.

Because Athletic Club de Bilbao and Real Sociedad, as happens with Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, are united by a Basque classic always full of tension and unforgettable moments. Other teams and players can also add to those rivalries, and Antonio Rüdiger, aware of the stadium he was in, didn't miss the opportunity to declare himself a "fan" of Athletic Club.

This tension provoked by the German footballer of Real Madrid didn't elicit much more reaction from the players coached by Imanol Alguacil. Now both will have to wait until next April 1st for the resolution of a tie that is far from decided.