Champions League: Rudiger looks forward to duel with Haaland as Madrid host City on Tuesday

For the last couple of seasons, the most entertaining matchup in the Champions League has been Real Madrid vs Manchester City.

The two giants clashed during the 2021/22 season, with Madrid producing a comeback for the ages, courtesy of late goals from Rodrygo that pushed the game into extra-time.

A season later, the two sides went head-to-head in the semi-finals of the competition once again, with Manchester City coming out as victors, and comfortably so, winning 5-1 on aggregate.

The two sides are pitched up against one another yet again this season, this time in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Ahead of the game, Antonio Rudiger spoke to UEFA, touching on Real Madrid’s legacy in the Champions League and of course, about his duel with Erling Haaland.

On facing Haaland

Rudiger was faced with the challenge of stopping Haaland last season, as well, and did rather well in the first leg, with the Man City striker reduced to just 0.26xG.

“I am looking forward to the duel against Haaland, these are the games you dream of, and being part of one is just incredible,” Rudiger said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“They [City] have a lot of great players, not just Haaland. He is a great striker. I am really looking forward to this game, but I look forward to all matches in the same way without distinction,” the German center-back added.

While Man City are considered the favourites heading into this game, Real Madrid’s pedigree in the Champions League cannot be ignored. They have taken on opponents bigger and better, and come out on top, and Rudiger, for one, agrees.

“With all due respect to other clubs I have been at, which were also great, I don’t think they can be compared to Madrid. They have 14 Champions Leagues. Here, it is always about winning the UCL, without saying it.

“Of course, you feel the pressure, I have already experienced it last year. Here, you have to be willing to get to the end. It is about winning, draws and defeats are not an option,” Rudiger added.

He concluded by saying, “Self-confidence has a lot to do with it. You have to give the team security as a defensive leader. The most important criteria is to make noise and give confidence to the team.”