JAKARTA - Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger said that facing Erling Haaland was a pleasure ahead of the second leg of the Champions League 16-final against Manchester City on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, early morning WIB, after successfully silencing the star striker in the first leg last week at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Haaland only had 10 touches - and no shots - in the Madrid game, he was replaced in the 82nd minute as Manchester City suffered a 3-0 defeat thanks to Federico Valverde's hat-trick.
The English Premier League star sometimes has trouble against Real Madrid. Just look at his failure to score when the two teams met in 2023 and 2024.
Even so, he actually has a record that is not too bad. He managed to score two goals in Manchester City's 2-3 defeat to Los Blancos in February 2025 and converted a penalty when the Citizens won 2-1 in the league phase this season.
"I don't think too much about things like statistics. In the match in the group stage, (Haaland) beat me."
"Playing against a player like Erling Haaland is a great pleasure. I like the physical battle. I've faced him many times and he's a top player."
"I love this kind of duel. I feel fantastic playing against him. He seems like a good person," Rudiger said in a press conference in Manchester.
Rudiger's physical approach has recently drawn criticism in Spain, after a tackle on Diego Rico from Getafe earlier this month saw the German's knee hit Rico in the face.
"When you look at the footage, in slow motion, of course it looks horrific. But he said I almost killed him, or something like that."
"He doesn't need to exaggerate. If I wanted to hurt him, he wouldn't wake up. I never intended to hurt anyone."
"I like to be tough on the pitch, but I have limits. I think the kid exaggerated a little," said Rudiger.
Rudiger suffered an injury earlier this season. He only appeared 11 times in LaLiga and four times in the Champions League, but is now playing regularly with his contract at Real Madrid expiring this summer.
"For me, the most important thing is that I am healthy. At the moment, I feel great. As for the rest, I am very confident that we will solve it."
"It's not important now. We don't need to think about it. I feel great here, I feel the respect of the people."
"However, you have to make decisions that are not just based on emotions. I am fit now and I love Real Madrid. I love Real Madrid," said Rudiger.
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