Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Madrid's Rüdiger: Battle with Haaland is 'personal'

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Monday, 08 April 2024 06:30

Antonio Rüdiger said dealing with "super striker" Erling Haaland in Real Madrid's Champions League quarterfinal with Manchester City is "personal" for him as a defender, as Madrid look for revenge for City eliminating them from last season's competition.

Rüdiger dealt well with Haaland in last year's semifinal first leg -- which finished 1-1 at the Bernabéu, with Haaland failing to score -- but didn't start the return leg in Manchester, which ended in a comfortable 4-0 win for City.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

"It was a good game last year at the Bernabéu," Rüdiger said in a pre-match news conference ahead of Tuesday's match. "We all did a great job keeping Haaland quiet that evening. And my teammates did a good job keeping [Kevin] De Bruyne quiet.

"This time, the plan will be to control dangerous players like Phil Foden, De Bruyne, and Haaland... It's personal for me as a defensive player, against a super striker like Haaland."

Madrid and City meet this month for the fifth time in the Champions League in the last decade. The LaLiga giants came out on top in the 2016 semifinals, City progressed in the 2020 round of 16 and Madrid eliminated City after extra time in the 2022 semifinals, before last season's meeting.

"We won't only sit back and watch City have possession," Rüdiger said. "But that's part of the game. There will be phases where we have to defend more, and we're willing to do that."

Rüdiger praised the impact in the Madrid dressing room of Jude Bellingham, who has scored four Champions League goals in six games this campaign.

"At the beginning I was a bit surprised, I didn't know much about him," Rüdiger said. "But wow, he's a big personality already in our locker room. The way he handles himself is very good. He's 20, but he's old for his age.

"I'm sure he'll be a leader for [England]. He's just professional, he's a good lad, we just have to hope and pray he'll stay healthy."

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team had lacked "courage and personality" in last season's second leg against City.

"This tie [will be decided by] the players with most quality," Ancelotti said. "The players on the pitch decide games. You need a clear strategy that convinces the players. There are a lot of things in these games: individual quality, defending, counterattacks. It isn't one thing, it's all those aspects."

Ancelotti said he wouldn't spring any surprises with his team selection, after picking midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at left-back against City last year.

"[This season] we have different characteristics with the ball," Ancelotti said. "Last year we had Karim Benzema, and this season we don't have a reference point at centre-forward. We've dealt with that with more mobility up front, and we've done well. That could be a key to the game."

Read 139 times

Soccer

Chelsea beat Everton to reignite UCL hopes

Chelsea beat Everton to reignite UCL hopes

Chelsea climbed back into contention for next season's Champions League with a 1-0 home win over Eve...

Pride stage late comeback, avoid 2nd straight loss

Pride stage late comeback, avoid 2nd straight loss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDefending National Women's Soccer League champions Orlando Pride er...

Senator wants travel policies eased before '26 WC

Senator wants travel policies eased before '26 WC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSen. Ron Wyden of Oregon has asked top Trump administration officia...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Trent explodes for 37 with 9 3s to key Bucks' win

Trent explodes for 37 with 9 3s to key Bucks' win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers gave two reasons...

Celts vent after loss: Refs not controlling play

Celts vent after loss: Refs not controlling play

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsORLANDO, Fla. -- In Game 1, a flagrant foul by the Orlando Magic se...

Baseball

Mariners ace Gilbert exits with forearm tightness

Mariners ace Gilbert exits with forearm tightness

EmailPrintSeattle Mariners All-Star pitcher Logan Gilbert left his start against the Miami Marlins o...

Skenes deals best 'stuff' to shut down Dodgers

Skenes deals best 'stuff' to shut down Dodgers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Paul Skenes fell behind in the count 3-1 to Shohei O...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated