Real Madrid News
Juventus plot summer raid for Real Madrid defensive leader – report
After having gone through a difficult patch, due to continued fitness issues, Antonio Rudiger appears to be back to his best at Real Madrid.
The veteran defender has put in some extremely solid displays in recent games, particularly against Manchester City, with his form leading to a return to the Germany national team setup.
However, question marks linger over his future at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond this season, given that his contract expires on 30 June.
Juventus ready to move in on Rudiger
And, according to Tuttosport (h/t SPORT), Juventus have made Rudiger a priority target as they aim to compete again for the Serie A title. His candidacy has gained strength due to his strong relationship with head coach Luciano Spalletti.
The two previously worked together at AS Roma, where Spalletti played a key role in elevating the German defender after his early years in Italy.
Rudiger has recently added agent Hasan Cetinkaya to his representation, a figure who also maintains strong connections in Italy.
As such, the report states that initial contacts have already taken place regarding a potential deal that could deprive Real Madrid of a player who has become increasingly important under Alvaro Arbeloa.
Real Madrid had initially planned to part ways with Rudiger at the end of his contract, but Arbeloa is keen for him to remain at the club.
But Juventus’ unexpected interest could alter the situation significantly, as they are offering a him two-year contract, compared to the one-year extension Los Blancos are willing to propose.
What has Rudiger said on his future?
Speaking to the media about his contract situation earlier this week, Rudiger had said: “For me, the most important thing is to be healthy. I feel fine. As for the rest… I’m sure we’ll reach an agreement. Now is not the time to talk about it.”
“I feel good here. I notice the respect of the people and I appreciate it a lot. But sometimes you can’t just think about the emotional side; I also have to think about the fact that I feel good and I have a job to do. But I love Real Madrid.”
It now remains to be seen which way the German veteran leans amid growing interest from Juventus.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
