Ronaldo says City are scared of Madrid but the Bernabau is already in a panic mood because of Rudiger’s injury

Ronaldo says City are scared of Madrid but the Bernabau is already in a panic mood because of Rudiger’s injury

Both Real Madrid and Manchester City failed to directly qualify for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 after finishing 11th and 22nd respectively in the 36-team table at the end of the league phase, and will square off in a two-legged clash for the pre-quarter-finals later this month.

Defending European and Spanish champions Real Madrid will be facing defending English champions Manchester City in the knockouts for the fourth consecutive year when the two giants lock horns in a two-legged playoff tie later this month.

And nine days before City host the first of those two legs at the Etihad Stadium, an old comment by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in which he predicts Pep Guardiola’s men will be scared of Madrid is going viral on social media.

Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, however, backed City to come out of their sharp decline this season and possibly even win the Champions League for a second time.

“Well, in football you never know what’s going to happen,” Ronaldo said.

“The teams have moments, difficult times, good times and what, for example, City pass through this moment is a difficult time but I’m sure, 100 per cent that they will be back.

As for his “scared” comment, ‘CR7’ added that it was something that all teams experienced when playing at Madrid’s home ground, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the Spanish capital.

“It’s like Madrid, people don’t expect that they’ve been so brilliant in the beginning but they are not too bad, they are there, two points in front of Barcelona and they say it’s a bad season, I don’t understand why they say these kind of things.

“Every player, every team they have a rash moment but they will come back all the time. And Madrid, if you have to bet to win the Champions League again I would bet Real Madrid because you never know what’s going to happen.

“At the Bernabeu it’s different, all the teams are scared when they play there, this is a fact, history says that, and never consider Madrid dead because they always come back, City as well,” added Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time who had spent a majority of his club career at Madrid.

But Real Madrid face a serious concern as their reliable defender, Antonio Rudiger, sustained an injury during the match against Espanyol.

This setback comes at a critical time, just seven days before the crucial Madrid derby and ten days before a major clash against Manchester City.

With the squad already thin in central defence, Rudiger’s fitness status raises alarm bells for manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The incident occurred in the 14th minute when Rudiger attempted to block a cross. He jumped to intercept but landed awkwardly, immediately showing signs of discomfort. His hand moved to his back, and his expression twisted in pain.

Despite trying to continue, he limped off, prompting his concerned teammates to call for medical assistance. Although he managed to walk off the pitch on his own, the initial assessment points to a muscular issue in his right hamstring.

The extent of the injury remains unclear, as further tests will determine whether it is a minor overload or a more serious tear.

The distinction is crucial, as a tear could rule him out of the derby and possibly the Manchester fixture as well. This timing could not be worse, given the importance of these matches in Real Madrid’s season.

Rudiger has been dealing with physical strain for some time now. While not exactly on the brink, he was in desperate need of rest. Unfortunately, injuries to other key defenders, such as David Alaba, meant that Rudiger had to soldier on without a break.

Against Valladolid, he was seen playing with heavy bandaging on his left knee, a result of managing premature osteoarthritis—a condition that demands careful minute management.

According to AS, the club will conduct medical tests on the defender today unless inflammation delays them.

With two high-stakes matches looming, Real Madrid will be racing against time to determine whether Rudiger can return to action. His absence could prove a significant blow, making his recovery a top priority for the club.