Locker Room Tension: Rüdiger’s Painful Jab at Real Sociedad – “Viva Athletic”
According to journalist Miguel Ángel Díaz from COPE, Antonio Rüdiger walked into the Anoeta locker room at the end of the match and shouted: “Viva Athletic de Bilbao.” The German defender has previously admitted in interviews that San Mamés is one of his favorite stadiums to play in due to its incredible atmosphere.
Despite this post-match incident, the game itself was relatively calm. Apart from an incident involving Raúl Asencio, where the referee had to stop the match due to serious insults, there were no major clashes between players. Both teams had their complaints about certain refereeing decisions, but Sánchez Martínez handled them well, and none of them were clearly deserving of being overturned.
It was a tightly contested match. Real Sociedad managed six shots on target, while Real Madrid had five. However, in total attempts, Ancelotti’s side registered 14 shots compared to Imanol’s team’s 11. The Merengues knew they were in for a tough challenge even before traveling, despite having been drawn against the least formidable of the three possible opponents.
Chasing the Copa del Rey
Real Madrid is highly motivated in this competition, especially with the possibility of facing Barcelona or Atlético Madrid in the final. They know it would be a globally anticipated clash, and after missing out on the title last season, they are determined not to let it slip away again.
Winning 0-1 away at Real Sociedad is no easy feat, and Madrid has now put itself in a strong position for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. They are undoubtedly favorites to progress, but they will have to wait until April 1st for the second leg. The schedule is extremely tight, with La Liga, the Champions League, and an international break in March.
Maximum Respect for Their Rivals
While Madrid is confident in overcoming Real Sociedad at home and potentially facing Atlético or Barça in the final, they do not see themselves as unbeatable. Quite the opposite—there is full awareness of the challenge ahead. Any of these three teams can cause serious problems if Madrid is not fully focused and playing with the necessary intensity.
They approach these matches as opportunities to further cement the legacy of the biggest club in football history. The hunger for titles remains strong, and this season, they are eager to prove themselves once again. Just a few months ago, many doubted them—but now, they are still alive in every competition.
