08 April 2024 , 12:16
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Antonio Rudiger claims his Champions League battle with Erling Haaland is personal and is relishing their rematch.
Real Madrid defender Rudiger will be tasked with stopping Haaland when Manchester City take on the Spanish giants in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final showdown. Rudiger nullified the threat of Haaland in a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu last season when the two clubs met at the semi-final stage, but was left out of the return leg - which City won 4-0.
Haaland was limited to just 21 touches in the Bernabeu last season and had no clear chances, with Rudiger also employing the dark arts to ensure City's goal machine did not get on the scoresheet. A picture from the game showed Rudiger thrusting his head under Haaland's right armpit, as he pushed, shoved and grappled with the forward in an absorbing duel in which he came out on top.
Germany international Rudiger is looking forward to his latest battle with Haaland and is confident he can keep the prolific Norway striker quiet once again. "It was a good game at home last year," said Rudiger. "We all did a great job by keeping Haaland quiet that evening.
"We controlled the ball well. Haaland didn’t get much of the ball. Now, for this game, the plan will be the same as last year, to try to control dangerous players like Haaland. I will take that duel as personal."
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Rudiger said he will do whatever it takes again to keep Haaland quiet and give Real the best possible chance of remaining on course for a 15th European Cup success. The former Chelsea star added: "I saw the photos and videos, there were a lot.
"I don't plan these things. It’s just a feeling. It’s me as a defensive player, against a super striker. I don’t plan, it just happens in the moment. Nothing special.
"He’s definitely one of the strongest. It’s not easy to control him. He lives off passes from his teammates, so you have to try to control them as well as possible."
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