'That's the best I've seen a centre-back pairing play him!': Pundits marvel at Antonio Rudiger's performance for Real Madrid against Man City... as German is credited with shutting out Erling Haaland during first-leg draw
Pundits have heaped praise on the 'excellent' performance by Antonio Rudiger in Real Madrid's clash with Man City on Tuesday night.
The Spanish giants were held to a 1-1 draw with Pep Guardiola's side in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final clash, after goals from Vinicius Jr and Kevin De Bruyne.
Madrid were able to withstand the threat of City's Erling Haaland, who has gone from strength to strength since joining the Premier League champions last summer.
This was largely down to the role that Rudiger played on the night, with his aggressive defensive style proving to be an issue for the Norwegian.
And his hard work certainly did not go unnoticed, as pundits quickly showered the German in acclaim after the match.
Speaking after full-time, former Man United and England defender Rio Ferdinand said: ‘Militao is normally the first choice centre-back but he was out so Rudiger comes in.
'If you were going to ask any player to come in in European football at the moment, I probably would have said for aggression, application, the way he enjoys that physical element of the game.
'That’s what we’ve been saying about Haaland in the Premier League, who’s been willing to take him and have a 1 v 1 battle and be confident the way Rudiger was today?
'He was excellent and clever as well at times. He made one great block in the second half. I think you’ve got to be aggressive with Haaland. I still don’t think they nullified him completely but I thought today that’s the best I’ve seen a centre-back pairing play him.’
Haaland, who has scored 51 goals in his 47 Man City appearances this season, only mustered three shots throughout the match and none that troubled Thibaut Courtois.
Former Man City defender Joleon Lescott agreed with Ferdinand, as he said: ‘You can be aggressive but you’ve got to have the strength and the capability. We’ve seen players try to be aggressive but not be able to match the strength and the pace, while Rudiger found himself isolated.
'We were watching him when the ball was nowhere near him, pulling his shirt, pushing him around. It’s a pattern to go forward but I don’t think every centre half can take that approach.’
Their co-pundit, Michael Owen, was asked whether Rudiger should start the second leg, to which he said: ‘You’d say so. He played particularly well but the next game will be very different.
You’d be mistaken if you think I’ve got his [Haaland's] number. He can score any type of goal and I’m sure he will get more service.’
Despite early pressure from the visitors on the night, it was Real Madrid who went ahead in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr scored a thumping, long-range effort in the first-half to open the scoring and give the hosts the advantage.
However, their joy was short-lived as, in the second-half, Kevin De Bruyne struck for Man City to level the tie ahead of next week's return leg.