Real Sociedad midfielder Asier Illarramendi says it was a special moment for him to return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The defensive midfielder played for Los Blancos for two seasons and was seen by many as the long term successor to Xabi Alonso at the club but he failed to establish himself in the first team and was sold back to the Anoeta side this summer.
On Wednesday, La Real frustrated their hosts for long periods but eventually slipped to a 3-1 defeat. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace while Lucas Vasquez netted late on to secure the three points for the 10-time Champions League winners.
After the game, Illarramendi spoke to Canal Plus to discuss the game. Asked about two controversial penalty decisions in the first half for the hosts – Ronaldo scored one and missed the other – Illarra said he did not want to talk about the referee.
“I don’t want to talk about the referee. We played very well and at 2-1 we felt that we could get back in the game. But the third goal killed us off at the end,” he commented.
And on his return to the Spanish capital, he stated: “Returning to the Bernabeu was special. I spent two years here and have many friends.”
