Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid defender Alvaro Odriozola rejoins Real Sociedad
In a late deadline day move, Real Madrid misfit Alvaro Odriozola has re-signed for boyhood club Real Sociedad.
“Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad have agreed on the transfer of the player Álvaro Odriozola,” the official statement read.
“Real Madrid wishes to express its affection and gratitude to Odriozola, whose professionalism and behavior have been exemplary.”
The Spanish right-back had left Sociedad to join Real Madrid in 2018 but things never clicked for him at the capital club.
Having had sub-par loan spells away at Bayern Munich and Fiorentina, Odriozola has been at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal since last summer, but has hardly played.
It had been evident for a long time that the defender was not part of the Italian’s plans and as such an exit was always likely.
Now the 27-year-old has ended up securing a return to his former club Real Sociedad in a permanent transfer.
Guillermo Rai of The Athletic reports that the deal will be worth €1.5 million plus add-ons, with Odriozola having been in the final year of his contract at Real Madrid.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rising star suffered against Atletico due to veteran forward’s absence, says Simeone
Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid was not the first time were in trouble this season. In fact, the Merengues have gone behind early in almost every league game so far.
However, the difference on Sunday night was that they never really mounted a comeback. More importantly, Jude Bellingham did not come good, for the first time.
Simeone unravels the mystery
A jubilant Diego Simeone spoke to the media after his side downed Real Madrid by three goals to one and spoke about a plethora of topics.
Interestingly, he commented specifically on why Bellingham did not have an impact at Civitas Metropolitano, citing the absence of Joselu as a key factor.
“No, the spaces were reduced and I think that Joselu’s lack of presence left him with fewer chances to get there, when he takes advantage of Joselu’s aerial play. We controlled him better, he’s extraordinary,” he said, as quoted by AS.
He even called out the refereeing on the night and insisted that the Real Madrid star-boy should have seen red for his late tackle on Angel Correa, saying:
“It looked like a sending-off to me live, it was a hard leg up, with Angelito hitting the ball.”
Ironically, he defended his defender Jose Maria Gimenez for an equally threatening tackle on the night.
“A bad foul, it’s a yellow card because it goes sideways. Bellingham goes from the front and I think it’s a bit more,” he stated paradoxically.
No time to lament
The game at Civitas Metropolitano may not have gone Real Madrid’s way. Yet, it is good for the Merengues to taste defeat early and see the gaping holes in their dynamic.
Carlo Ancelotti admitted in his press conference that he bore the lion’s share of the fault for Sunday’s loss and that he would have done things differently if given the chance.
“Maybe I could have done it better. It’s pretty clear. When the team doesn’t do what it has to do, it’s my responsibility,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Los Blancos have a hectic schedule ahead with two games in the next five days and a UCL fixture against Napoli next week. With Vinicius Jr back, one hopes they find their mojo once again.
