Real Madrid star deserves credit for keeping Erling Haaland quiet

Rarely does a much-anticipated fixture live up to expectations in sports. But the eagerly awaited Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Manchester City has had a great first leg. There were two world-class goals that got both teams on the scoresheet and the overall quality of football was exceptional.

The pregame build-up was focused around the number 9s of either team. Karim Benzema vs Erling Haaland was a mouth-watering prospect for fans and a headache for both sets of defenders. The fact that the goals came from other sources was quite anticlimactic.

However, the performance of the two strikers was poles apart. On one hand, while Benzema was fluid, expressive and linking up well, Haaland had a night to forget.

The man to shut down “The Machine” was a defender Real Madrid acquired on a free transfer last summer and many believed was surplus to requirements in the first place. Antonio Rudiger has struggled to find his feet in the Spanish capital. The competition ahead of him has not helped. Eder Militao is steadily establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the world and David Alaba has been trustworthy in any position he has played for all his career. But on this night, the German international proved his value.

Real Madrid star deserves credit for keeping Haaland quiet

The display against the Norwegian striker was a typical Rudiger masterclass. Rodrygo and Jack Grealish clashed in literally the first minute of the game and when Referee Artur Dias allowed them to continue without a booking, that was an indicator of a game where things would be allowed to flow.

The very next minute, Rudiger tackled Erling Haaland. The incident was no way crucial for that play but it announced to the world and specifically to the Norwegian, that the Real Madrid defender was up for it.

Rudiger ended up getting the better of the striker all night. He had a mere 21 touches, which was even less than both the goalkeepers. The only time Haaland was able to break free, was alongside Alaba in the 55th minute but the Austrian was equal to the task with an inch-perfect sliding tackle to stop him from getting a strike off.

Rudiger had a stellar game. It was not an all defensive display either. He had plenty of touches in both the halves and was an ever-present aerial presence from corners. He was commanding his space and was equally charged up vocally, making his presence known.

Carlo Ancelotti definitely has a dilemma in the second leg with Militao being available. Rest assured the footage of this match will be deeply studied by all the defenders in the Premier League, which might just be the key to stopping the Norwegian.