Real Madrid star proves that he deserves starting role

Real Madrid managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League with two games to spare in the group stage, thanks to a late winner from Antonio Rudiger, who showed incredible bravery on the night and did not come out of the game unscathed.

Rudiger has had an interesting time at Real Madrid since arriving in the summer on a free transfer, after his contract with Chelsea ran out.

He is not quite a starter for Real Madrid at the moment, with the combination of David Alaba and Eder Militao appearing to be Carlo Ancelotti’s first choice pairing in the heart of defence. And yet, Rudiger is knocking on the door of the starting XI with some of his recent performances, and it might be impossible to keep him out for much longer.

Rudiger was one of the best defenders in the world during his last couple of seasons at Chelsea, under the management of Thomas Tuchel. And it looks like he has carried that form to Real Madrid as well.

Rudiger has proven that he deserves bigger role at Real Madrid

If Rudiger does end up becoming a starter for Real Madrid, that does leave Ancelotti with a defensive puzzle to solve.

He has three terrific options at centre-back in the form of Rudiger, Alaba and Militao, with Nacho pretty much reduced to cover at the moment.

Alaba is capable of playing at left-back as well, although Ferland Mendy is the first choice in that area of the pitch. The Austrian’s versatility might be the key to getting all four of them enough playing time though, by rotating the former Bayern Munich star as a centre-back or as a left-back, depending upon the game and the situation.

This is a pretty good problem to have if you are Ancelotti though. Several great players in one position cannot possibly hurt the team in any way.