a cicerone of heart

“When I tell people here that I am from Real, they have to ask again.” The incredulity of the Germans reflects the acoustic capacity of football: the passion that it exudes is heard in all parts of the world, it crosses any border. The Real, which finds a friendly flag in many corners of the map, was never oblivious to these echoes. Tomorrow it travels to Germany and there awaits a cicerone who yearns to see Imanol’s men win at the Red Bull Arena. From the heart.

Thomas Ernst was born in Düsseldorf, lives there and joined Real absorbed by the generation of the 2002/2003 League runner-up. Each goal from Nihat or Kovacevic, each combination between Aranzabal and De Pedro, each outburst of race from Karpin, each break from Aranburu, became a sentimental injection for life in Thomas’s chromosomes. It turns out that Real plays tomorrow in his country. How was he going to miss it? Impossible.

“Our plan is to arrive on Thursday and sleep in Leipzig for a day or two.” He separates him from his home “a distance of about 400 kilometers”, which he will travel “with my wife”. Her devotion to the Real, as usually happens in these cases, is a dynastic issue: “My daughter wanted to accompany us, but she has to go to school, it’s important, and she will sleep with her grandparents,” she relates with unmistakable German formality.

Thomas Ernst and his wife will get to know Leipzig on the occasion of the match; they had never been before. The atmosphere of the Red Bull Arena is a melon to discover for two of the 500 Real fans who will populate the stadium’s stands on Thursday. It burns with desire to live it. In Germany, in general, “they know Real Sociedad”, contributes this dedicated txuri urdin, since “some players have played in the Bundesliga”. Indeed, Merino, Januzaj and Isak were from Borussia Dortmund at different times. “Everyone I talk to likes the club,” adds Thomas.

Although “everyone always thinks of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atlético de Madrid”, Thomas affirms that “they know I love Real”. The touch makes love and “it has also become interesting for them”. Of course, “they are not fans, but they want information to be able to talk to me” about Real.

“Oyarzabal is number one” for Real for Thomas Ernst and “my daughter likes Isak”, says the German. It is surprising that “I would like to see Guevara play more”, which does not happen to be the most mediatic, even less beyond the borders. Tomorrow Thomas’ wishes can be fulfilled, due to Zubimendi’s absence due to suspension.

The tie promises toughness for Real, against a Leipzig that is planted in the Europa League from the Champions League. “I think a one-goal draw would be good,” Thomas Ernst said. He is satisfied with not losing and at the same time the desire to celebrate a left-footed shot from Oyarzabal can take over. “In the second leg we will win,” he concludes with a strong German accent, not without optimism.