Manchester City are gearing up to face Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final tonight – and Didi Hamann reckons Antonio Rudiger could be a good counter to Erling Haaland.
City are looking to get revenge on Real, after the Spanish giants dumped them out of the competition last season.
This time around, Pep Guardiola has Haaland at his disposal. And City fans are hoping their deadly number nine is on form this evening.
Haaland has scored 51 goals so far this season.
He has been truly outstanding for City, and the hope is that he will be able to carry City to European glory after many years of trying.
It will take a monumental defensive display by Real to keep him at bay.
And ex-City midfielder Hamann reckons Rudiger could be the key to dealing with him.
He said on talkSPORT earlier today: “He’s a warrior. He loves defending. They have to be careful, Real Madrid, because if they match up Alaba with Haaland, I think it could be hard. I don’t think Alaba’s got the pace. But I think Rudiger has.
Rudiger is known for being a very quick defender.
A number of Chelsea players have previously stated that the German was the fastest player at the club during his time at Stamford Bridge.
But Haaland combines pace and power, meaning he is in for a very big test tonight if he plays.
Antonio Rudiger will try to unsettle Erling Haaland if he plays
It will be a fascinating battle if Rudiger starts tonight.
Hamann is right to suggest he is the best possible counter to Haaland.
He’s extremely quick. But so is Haaland obviously, and the Norwegian is arguably more powerful given his height.
It would be no surprise if Rudiger turned up the aggression tonight. He will want to really try and unsettle Haaland, and Rudiger’s physicality is one of his best traits.
