Real Madrid News
Rudiger talks Haaland, Huijsen, fitness, future ahead of Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid will face off against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg fixture tomorrow at the Etihad Stadium.
Going into the game with a handsome three-goal advantage from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, Los Blancos will hope to finish the job tomorrow and secure their place in the quarterfinals.
A lot will be riding on the defensive line, which will be led by Antonio Rudiger, as Real Madrid look to shut out Manchester City’s attacking overtures.
Ahead of the big game, the veteran defender appeared in front of the media for the pre-match press conference, discussing various matters, including his fitness and contract situation.
Highlighting what’s on the line tomorrow, the German international noted: “I’ve been in many matches like this. I won the Champions League with Real Madrid. You work for these matches, these moments.
“We’ve played against City many times over the years, one of the best teams in Europe. If you want to win the Champions League, you have to play against City.”
The ongoing season has not been easy for Rudiger, with the player having had fitness problems which have kept him sidelined at times, while he has played through pain on other occasions. Giving an insight into his physical levels now, he said:
“I’ve had a few minor issues, but that’s all in the past. If you look at the last few matches, I’m playing well and feeling good.
“I’m in good shape at this stage of the season. I’ve worked hard these past few months to be fit, to be able to help the team and be useful.”
Rudiger’s fitness problems have cast doubts over his future at Real Madrid, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season. When asked if he is keen on a renewal, the veteran star noted:
“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.”
On being asked if Real Madrid had reached out to him to discuss a new deal, he added: “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.”
Moving onto the matters related to tomorrow’s match, Rudiger opened up on his upcoming battle with Manchester City phenom Erling Haaland.
“I don’t think much about these statistics, I don’t attach much importance to them, they’re just numbers. He won the battle against me in the group stage match. Players like Haaland are tough, and it’s a pleasure to face the best,” he said.
Crediting his partner, Dean Huijsen as well, he added: “I really enjoy that physical battle. Huijsen also played a very good game; I’m not alone in that defence. I’m really looking forward to this match.”
On what it meant for him to duel with Haaland and whether these battles have become a significant part of his career, Rudiger replied:
“I’ve faced Haaland many times now. He’s a world-class player, very strong. I like these battles. As for my career, I think in my first season I knew that if I could beat him and keep up with Haaland, I could.
“But it’s fantastic when you face players like this. He seems like a good guy.”
One of the most experienced players in the squad, Rudiger is seen as a leadership figure in the locker room. Given the number of youngsters in the team and more and more coming through from the academy, he spoke about how he deals with them.
“I think I have an important role because we play with a lot of young players and my job is to help them. It’s my job to improve them as players. Young players also have to accept that they’re not Sergio Ramos or Maldini when they start out,” he said.
“As a veteran, you have to take on that responsibility and take the pressure off the younger players. Look at those coming in, there are many of them and they’re doing a great job. Hats off to the coach for giving them that confidence.”
On whether he was ready to take the responsibility in the penalty shootout, if it came down to that tomorrow, Rudiger replied:
“I hope it doesn’t come to that. I’m ready to take responsibility. If it falls to me, of course, I’d throw it back without hesitation.”
Source: AS
Real Madrid News
Gasperini claims Roma were far superior to Real Madrid despite 4-3 defeat: ‘They were outclassed in everything’
AS Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has questioned Real Madrid’s overall performance despite their dramatic 4-3 Champions League victory, insisting that his side was superior for much of the contest.
Real Madrid scored three goals in the final seven minutes to overturn a 1-3 deficit, leaving Roma stunned after appearing to have secured the three points.
Speaking after the match, Gasperini criticised his team’s defending during the closing stages while suggesting that Jose Mourinho’s side had resorted to sending every available attacker forward.
The Italian also challenged Mourinho’s assessment of Roma’s physical condition, arguing that Madrid had struggled more than the visitors.
Gasperini questions Real Madrid’s late attacking approach
Gasperini acknowledged that Real Madrid’s desperation created opportunities for Roma to attack on the counter, but admitted that the Spanish giants eventually made their approach work.
“Without a doubt, we had plenty of space to attack in open play. It’s clear they were desperate and threw every striker they had into the fray, sending them forward,” said Gasperini.
“At that moment, Real Madrid only had that one weapon; they had no other options. They did well, even if it hurts us.
“There’s not much more you can do when they manage to play like that, so you have to acknowledge that they got it right,” he added.
The Roma manager was particularly frustrated by how easily Real Madrid scored after his team had established a two-goal advantage.
With Roma leading 3-1 in the 83rd minute, Gasperini felt his players should have been capable of protecting their lead rather than allowing Madrid to complete the comeback.
He complained that the goals came “far too easily”, with Roma “completely caught off guard” during the decisive period.
“That’s what really annoys me,” he said.
Gasperini admits defensive mistakes in Champions League collapse
Gasperini also pointed to his team’s earlier defensive work, arguing that Roma had successfully handled Real Madrid’s attacking pressure before the late collapse.
“We could have done better, because in the first half we also conceded quite a few corners and defended well, without ever being in any real danger.
“In that phase, as well as the three chances, there was a fourth where the ball went just two centimetres wide,” he added.
Despite the disappointment, the Italian insisted that Roma’s performance should not be judged entirely on the closing minutes.
“There is a real risk of erasing everything this match has been about and focusing solely on the last seven minutes.
“I cannot do that, although it is clearly also true that you have to know how to see matches through to the end,” he emphasised.
Gasperini acknowledged that Roma had experienced similar difficulties in the past and suggested that his players needed to show greater determination in decisive moments.
He admitted that his team lacked ‘a bit of character’ when Madrid increased the pressure.
“We also need to understand that we were at the decisive moment of the match. We had to hold firm and maintain our lead, and do so decisively.
“Although it’s not very common to see a match end like this, we also need to have the strength to look at the rest of the game and build on what we did well,” he analysed.
The Roma manager maintained that his side had produced a strong overall performance, despite the result.
“However, the goals came as a result of that specific move. We have to give them credit, although we’re leaving disappointed by how the match ended.
“Otherwise, we were undoubtedly up to the task and I’d say we were far superior to them,” he noted.
Gasperini hits back at Mourinho
Gasperini reserved his strongest response for Mourinho, who had suggested that Roma could not maintain their demanding intensity for the full 90 minutes.
The Italian rejected that interpretation, arguing that Madrid were the team struggling physically before their late comeback.
“Mourinho says we were tired? If anyone was exhausted, it was them. We could have scored many more goals; they were outclassed in everything.
“Fair enough, their goals from corner kicks count, but Real certainly weren’t on our level,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
