I chose the wrong opponent. I was left embarrassed.

Real Madrid lost 1-2 to Arsenal in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the 2024-2025 season held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on the 17th (Korean time).

Including a 0-3 loss in the first leg, they were eliminated with a total score of 1-5, shaking the pride of the 'defending champion.'

What fueled the fans' anger beyond the result was Antonio Rüdiger's 'unsportsmanlike conduct.' In the 58th minute, Arsenal's 18-year-old defender, Myles Lewis-Skelly, fell during a ball contest, and Rüdiger stepped on his abdomen as he passed by. Lewis-Skelly screamed in pain, but the referee continued the match without any intervention.

Outwardly, it might have seemed like a coincidence. However, fans who observed Rüdiger's previous actions and movements at the time strongly suspected intent. Right after the match, social media was flooded with criticisms like, "Rüdiger stepped on Lewis-Skelly and received no card," "It was a deliberate retaliation," and "It's hard to believe that such a play was overlooked."

The British 'Mirror' also highlighted the incident, stating, "Rüdiger stomped on Lewis-Skelly's lower body during a scene in the second half. It was clearly a controversial moment." Lewis-Skelly himself also posted a photo of the incident on his social media, indirectly pointing out Rüdiger's actions.

Rüdiger has faced criticism from fans for controversial behavior in the past. During the group stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup against Japan, he faced backlash for mockingly jogging in exaggerated steps. Last year at a Real Madrid training ground, he held the club's kit manager's hand and then slapped him. Surprised by Rüdiger's violence, the kit manager tried to avoid it, but Rüdiger did not let go and hit his face again.

During training in preparation for the Arsenal match, he collided with teammate Jude Bellingham through a rough tackle. Rüdiger, who has been engaging in such 'misbehavior,' is facing similar criticism again for 'reckless contact' with a young player.

Ultimately, Real was defeated not only in skill but also in manners. Boasting 15 championship titles, the most in Europe, they could not overcome Arsenal's solid tactics and determination, which reached the semifinals for the first time in 16 years, concluding the tournament amid controversy.

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