It’s personal: Rudiger sends strong warning to Erling Haaland ahead of Champions League showdown

Real Madrid and Germany defender, Antonio Rudiger has insisted that his Champions League battle with Erling Haaland in Madrid on Tuesday night will be personal.

Manchester City will battle it out with Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final match as they aim to defend the title. Rudiger who battled it out with Haaland when both teams met in the Bernabeu last season is now eager to put up another impressive performance.

Rudiger said: “It was a good game at home last year. We all did a great job by keeping Haaland quiet that evening. We controlled the ball well. Haaland didn’t get much ball. “Now for this game, the plan will be the same as last year, to try to control dangerous players like Haaland. I will take that duel as personal.”

Haaland has been in an impressive form for City this season and Rudiger admits he will do whatever it takes again to stop the Norway international from ruining Real’s dreams of winning a 15th European Cup.

Rudiger who could be seen nipping Haaland’s armpit in the 1-1 draw with Pep Guardiola’s men last season said “I saw the photos and videos, there were a lot. I don’t plan these things. It’s just a feeling. It’s me as a defensive player, against a super striker. I don’t plan, it’s just in the moment. Nothing special.

“He’s definitely one of the strongest. It’s not easy to control him. He lives off passes from his teammates, so you have to try to control them as good as possible.”