This would not be Rüdiger's first recent misstep. Most recently, during the quarter-final second leg against Bayern, Josip Stanisic accused him of a below-the-belt insult. "It was just one word—said twice. But you can ask him yourself what he said. Perhaps he's man enough to admit it!" the Croatian emphasised at the time.
Meanwhile, consistent media reports claim that Real's hierarchy is urgently seeking a successor to Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso only at the start of the year. According to The Athletic, president Florentino Perez favours Jose Mourinho to restore discipline to the squad, and the Special One has played down the speculation, insisting that "nobody from Real Madrid" has contacted him.
Other candidates mentioned recently include outgoing France coach Didier Deschamps, Jürgen Klopp and Massimiliano Allegri.