Rüdiger looks forward to facing Haaland in the Real Madrid-Man City matchup.
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger expressed that it is “a pleasure” to compete against Erling Haaland prior to the team’s Champions League round-of-16 match at Manchester City on Tuesday, following his successful containment of the star striker in the first leg at the Bernabéu last week.
In the match in Madrid, Haaland recorded only 10 touches and did not register any shots, being substituted in the 82nd minute as City suffered a 3-0 defeat, with Federico Valverde scoring a hat trick.
– Bellingham out, Mbappé has chance for second leg at City
– Arbeloa’s Real Madrid youth revolution is straight from Pep’s playbook
– Pep: City need ‘perfect game’ for miracle comeback vs. Real Madrid
The Premier League forward has occasionally found it challenging to score against Madrid, having not netted in their encounters in 2023 and 2024. However, he did score twice in City’s 3-2 defeat to Madrid in February 2025 and successfully converted a penalty in City’s 2-1 victory during the league phase this season.
“I don’t dwell too much on statistics,” Rüdiger stated during a press conference in Manchester on Monday. “In the group stage match, [Haaland] got the upper hand on me… Competing against players like Erling Haaland is a significant pleasure. I enjoy the physical contest.”
“I’ve faced him numerous times, and he’s an exceptional player,” Rüdiger continued. “I appreciate these types of duels…I find it fantastic to go up against him. And he appears to be a good person.”
Rüdiger’s physical style has recently drawn criticism in Spain, particularly after a challenge on Getafe’s Diego Rico earlier this month, where the Germany international inadvertently struck Rico in the face with his knee.
“When you view the footage in slow motion, it certainly looks bad,” Rüdiger acknowledged. “But he claimed I nearly killed him or something…He didn’t need to overstate it. If I had intended to injure him, he wouldn’t have gotten back up…It was never my goal to harm anyone.
“I prefer to be tough on the field, but I have limits. I believe the young man exaggerated a bit.”
Earlier this season, Rüdiger faced injury challenges, making 11 appearances in LaLiga and four in the Champions League thus far, but he is now playing consistently, with his contract at Madrid set to expire this summer.
“For me, the most crucial aspect is my health,” Rüdiger remarked. “At this moment, I feel excellent. Regarding everything else, I am confident we will resolve it. It is not a priority right now. We don’t need to focus on it.
“I feel great here, and I sense the respect from the people. However, decisions should not be made solely based on emotions… I am fit now, and I enjoy being at Real Madrid. I love Real Madrid.”
