REAL MADRID
Will Rüdiger start Real Madrid’s UCL second leg against Man City?
After leaving Antonio Rüdiger out of Saturday’s LaLiga win over Getafe, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said the German was being rested for the Champions League.
Antonio Rüdiger was among the Real Madrid players who, after starting last Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City, was rested for Saturday’s LaLiga win over Getafe.
The centre-back was one of Madrid’s outstanding performers in Los Blancos’ 1-1 draw with City, marking striker Erling Haaland out of the last-four opener. Speaking after this weekend’s 1-0 victory at the Bernabéu, Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Rüdiger had been suffering from fatigue ahead of the Getafe clash and had been left on the bench to recharge his batteries for the return leg in Manchester.
“He’s going to start the game” - Ancelotti gives Rüdiger the nod
“He was tired,” Ancelotti told reporters. “I gave him a rest so that he can be fresh for Wednesday. He’s going to play, I don’t know how many minutes, but he’ll play. What’s more, he’s going to start the game.”
The Madrid boss cannot hide his satisfaction with Rüdiger’s defensive display against Haaland, this season’s top Champions League scorer and City’s chief attacking threat. With Éder Militão suspended for the first leg, the German came into the side to partner David Alaba in central defence, and marshalled the centre-forward flawlessly. He never allowed Haaland to settle, and prevented the 22-year-old from finding space to hurt Madrid. Indeed, the Norwegian had the fewest touches of any player at the Bernabéu, including the two goalkeepers.
See also:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid: key match info
Madrid’s Champions League semi-final second leg against City takes place at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, at 3pm ET/12 noon PT on Wednesday 17 May. Viewers in the United States will be to watch the game on CBS and Paramount+.
The winners of the last-four tie will face either AC Milan or Inter in the final at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium on 10 June.
