Actual Madrid visits Manchester Metropolis on Tuesday for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League spherical of 16. Amid criticism of for an absence of targets, defender Antonio Rudiger despatched a robust message about it.
Haaland has been criticized for his poor document in opposition to Actual Madrid. In response to , the striker has scored solely three targets in opposition to Los Blancos within the seven matches he has confronted them. Regardless of this, Rudiger, 33, doesn’t doubt the Norwegian’s high quality.
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“Haaland is a world-class striker. Very sturdy, excellent. I like this sort of duel. Looks like a superb man too,” Rudiger stated in Monday’s information convention.
Manchester Metropolis’s Norwegian ahead #09 Erling Haaland is challenged by Actual Madrid’s German defender #22 Antonio Ruediger through the UEFA Champions League final 16 first leg soccer match between Actual Madrid CF and Manchester Metropolis at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on March 11, 2026.Photograph by Thomas COEX / AFP through Getty Photographs
(Photograph by Thomas COEX / AFP through Getty Photographs)
Rudiger additionally responded to the query of whether or not he would take the final penalty in opposition to Metropolis, simply as he did in 2024.
“Would I shoot the final pen on the Etihad tomorrow as I did in 2024? First, I hope it does not come to that (laughs), however sure, I am prepared to take duty for certain.”
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The German middle again has been on the middle of stories suggesting he’s leaving the Spanish capital. At 33, the press is already naming attainable successors. He additionally spoke about this.
“I really feel actually good at Actual Madrid, I really feel liked and revered by individuals. I like Actual Madrid. Do I wish to renew? For me, a very powerful factor is to be wholesome. And I’m now. The remainder, we are going to resolve it, we do not have to consider it proper now,” Rudiger stated.
This story was initially revealed by on Mar 16, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a