Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Antonio Rudiger Sends Message to Erling Haaland

• Real Madrid and Manchester City will clash in the Champions League quarter-final
• The two sides met in the semi-final of last season's competition which Man City won
• Antonio Rudiger looks forward to facing Erling Haaland, whom he called a super striker

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has a message for Erling Haaland ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie against Manchester City.

The two sides were drawn against each other in the knockout stages for the third consecutive season after they dispatched RB Leipzig and Copenhagen in the Round of 16.

The winner of the encounters in the previous meetings went on to win the Champions League – the Spanish team in 2022 and the English champions for the first time in 2023.

Rudiger sends message to Haaland

Rudiger is looking forward to the first leg encounter tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the second leg at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday.

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Per ESPN, the German defender has issued a warning to Erling Haaland as the battle between the two players is crucial in deciding the match's outcome.

“It was a good game last year at the Bernabéu. We all did a great job keeping Haaland quiet that evening. And my teammates did a good job keeping [Kevin] De Bruyne quiet,” he said.

"This time, the plan will be to control dangerous players like Phil Foden, De Bruyne, and Haaland.”

“It's personal for me as a defensive player against a super striker like Haaland,” he added.

Haaland has not been at his usual best this season. He was the subject of scathing criticism from Manchester United legend Roy Keane, who branded him a League Two player, forcing a response from Pep Guardiola via BBC Sports.

Madrid have dealt with multiple ACL injuries this season but hope to have Brazilian defender Eder Militao back for the second leg. However, it is too soon for David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois.

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Chelsea's struggles linked to Rudiger's exit

Sports Brief reported on Mesut Ozil pinning Chelsea's struggles on the departure of Rudiger, who left the London club in the summer of 2022 after the expiration of his contract.

Roman Abramovich delayed issuing a new contract to the defender, and it was too late for new owners Todd Boehly and co. to start contract negotiations with the defender.