Rudiger aims "not dangerous" jibe at Man City after shutting down Haaland

10 May 2023 , 07:32

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Rudiger aims "not dangerous" jibe at Man City after shutting down Haaland

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger did not appear worried after his team held Manchester City to a draw at the Bernabeu, claiming Pep Guardiola's side were "not dangerous".

Madrid went in front in the first half through a long-range effort from Vinicius Junior, only for Kevin De Bruyne to bring the visitors level. It was a quiet night for Erling Haaland, though, with the Norwegian failing to add to his 50 goals so far this season.

Haaland remains the top scorer in this season's Champions League with 12 goals, five more than Vinicius Junior - his closest challenger still involved in the competition. The former Borussia Dortmund frontman netted in both legs of the quarter-final against Bayern Munich, but couldn't repeat the trick in Madrid.

"We got the goal a bit late so we feel a bit like we could have got out with more," former Chelsea defender Rudiger told beIN Sports after the game. "But it's no problem, the tie is definitely on and we can go with confidence to Manchester.

"At the end of the day they were not dangerous. They had possession, we knew that this would happen... but most importantly they were not dangerous. Obviously their goal was quality from De Bruyne."

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Rudiger was then asked by the interviewer whether he was confident his team could finish the job at the Etihad Stadium. "We are Real Madrid. We are always confident," he said.

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Antonio Rudiger came out on top in his battle with Erling Haaland (PA)

Everything is still to play for going into the second leg, with a place against AC Milan or Inter Milan in the final at stake. The Italian giants are set to face off in the second semi-final, with their first leg on Wednesday.

“The feeling is good," Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said after the game (via Football Espana). "We competed and we fought. We raised our game well and we have good feelings. The result did not reward us, but it is a tie that will be even until the last minute.

“Man City will feel that they are favourites, but we think we are. We don’t have the fans (for the second leg), but we have them in our hearts.”

When Manchester City and Real Madrid met at the same stage last season, it was the English side who played at home first. They won 4-3 at the Etihad and led at the Bernabeu, only for Ancelotti's side to find two late goals before prevailing in extra-time.

Before this year's return leg, both sides are in league action over the weekend. Premier League title chasers City face an away game against Everton, while Madrid - who fell to third behind neighbours Atletico last time out - host Getafe.

Tom Victor