The upcoming Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City is going to be one of the best clashes of the season. Antonio Rudiger will have an especially big responsibility as he will have to stop some of the best forward players on the planet.
Being their main center back, he has to face the likes of Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez, and Phil Foden, among others. However, it is Haaland who will be his primary concern, and Rudiger is completely prepared for it.
Antonio Rudiger ready to reignite battle with Erling Haaland
Antonio Rudiger is one of the best center backs in the world, and he is ready to duke it out once again with Erling Haaland. The German is super excited about the matchup, even saying, “It’s personal for me as a defensive player, against a super striker like Haaland.” Rudiger once even made a statement that the Norwegian superstar was more difficult to handle than Lionel Messi himself.
Antonio Rudiger is ready to battle against Erling Haaland again ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/dcASnItSPj
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 8, 2024
Indeed, Haaland is the world’s best striker and is an unstoppable force of nature. Scoring goals is very easy for him, and he was the primary reason for them winning the historic treble last season. He almost won the Ballon d’Or and did win the UEFA Best Player award. Therefore, he will once again be the man to mark for Rudiger in their upcoming game.
Rudiger is already experienced facing City and Haaland, having faced them in last season’s semi-final clash. While City emerged victorious, the German defender managed to keep the Norwegians quiet in their first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Haaland only had 21 touches while managing a meager two shots. Rudiger will have to do the same once again, but will also have to contend with the other dangerous players in the City team as well.
Antonio Rudiger claimed he doesn’t hate Carlo Ancelotti for dropping him
Antonio Rudiger could have perhaps helped Real Madrid win the whole tie against City last season as well, as the defender was actually benched during the second leg at the Etihad. His absence was truly felt as City trashed them 4-0.
Many fans were angry with manager Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to bench Rudiger in that game, but the player has the opposite reaction. He showed his maturity as a player and according to Forbes he said, “In the next game I didn’t play, but the coach doesn’t have to apologize to me. He has his idea and me as a player has to accept it.”
🗣️ Antonio Rüdiger: "Carlo Ancelotti doesn't have to apologize to me for what benching me in Manchester last year, he had an idea so I respect him even if I didn't like the decision." pic.twitter.com/X5RSVKAAnN
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) April 8, 2024
Now, he is sure to start the game, as he is the only natural defender in the team. David Alaba is still injured, while Eder Militao still needs time to return to his best form. Rudiger has become the heart and leader of the defense and will once again be in charge of stopping the City threat.
Real Madrid and Antonio Rudiger will await the much-hyped game on Wednesday as the battle for a UCL semi-final spot remains.
