Kudus' moment of madness came when he struck both Micky van de Ven and Pape Sarr in the face during a heated confrontation. The referee had little choice but to show the red card, leaving Kudus' teammates to battle it out for the remainder of the game.
Lopetegui will be extremely disappointed with the outcome of the match, especially considering the scoreline. A 4-1 loss is a heavy defeat, and to have one of his key players sent off will only add to his frustrations. The Spaniard will be keen to put the record straight and have words with Kudus to ensure that this kind of behavior is not repeated in the future.
Whilst Kudus' actions were reckless and thoughtless, there is no doubt that he is a talented player, and Lopetegui will want to get the best out of him. However, discipline is key, and the manager will be keen to stress the importance of keeping calm under pressure. After all, a team can't afford to have one of their best players suspended for a crucial match.
The coming days will be crucial in determining the outcome of this situation. Lopetegui will need to decide how to handle Kudus and whether or not the player deserves a second chance. One thing is for sure: the manager will not tolerate any further incidents of this nature. Kudus must shape up or risk being shipped out.