DFB star stops the pain
Real Madrid likes itself as a blue-collar group
By Till Erdenberger
April 18, 2024, 8:49 a.m
Real Madrid is in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The path there is an unusual ordeal for the top-class ensemble. But in the end they like their new role. Right in the middle: DFB star Antonio Rüdiger.
The suffering didn’t want to end for the Real Madrid professionals: In the spectacular Champions League duel with Manchester City, it was already late at night when the German central defender Antonio Rüdiger left himself, his coach, his team and his entire club clasp of the defending champion was released. When Rüdiger Real, accompanied by shrill whistles in the Emirates Stadium, shot Real into the semi-finals with his penalty, his DFB colleagues from FC Bayern were already in the dressing rooms after their parallel triumph over Arsenal FC (1-0). And marveled at how Rüdiger sealed the elimination of defending champions Manchester City. Now they meet in the semi-finals in two weeks.
After the 3-3 draw in the first leg, which produced one of the most spectacular offensive battles in recent Champions League history, the second leg was a comparatively one-sided affair: Manchester City ran at it, launched attack after attack, especially in the second half, and let them go Spaniards suffer greatly. “It’s so difficult here. They have the ball almost constantly and let you run back and forth. Most teams would fall apart,” said a completely exhausted Jude Bellingham after well over two hours of a duel that was exceptional, even in the second leg.
“Can also defend spectacularly”
Manchester City had 67 percent possession of the ball, Pep Guardiola’s players fired 33 shots on goal and took 18 corners. In the end, it’s all just impressive numbers that don’t ease the pain of being eliminated.
Real, this ensemble of football artists who dominate the domestic La Liga in terms of demands, history and, above all, quality, had to defend against Erling Haaland above all. And he liked this role: “We’re not used to it, we’re usually the ones who defeat our opponents,” said Nacho, who kept the central defense tight alongside Rüdiger: “But we showed a different side, that we also defend spectacularly can.” Real, once admired as a “white ballet”, shone in the master role, as a blue-collar group, so to speak. The French sports newspaper “L’Équipe” praised Rüdiger and his colleagues in the end: “Real’s defense was heroic.”
Only Real Madrid could not prevent Kevin De Bruyne’s goal in the 76th minute. The Belgian canceled out Manchester City’s early Real lead through Rodrygo (12th minute). Of all people, Rüdiger, who would later cause the total ecstasy, had an unfortunate clearance at the feet of De Bruyne, who sank the ball from close range. However, the equalizer was not enough for the defending champions to win the duel.
“Real Madrid is immortal”
So in the end Real Madrid celebrated, which this time didn’t do magic, but worked. And then the aura of the champion also helped, the Spanish “Marca” is sure: “There is no other possible explanation for what happened last night at the Etihad than the mysticism that surrounds the King of Europe, who is in capable of withstanding the constant hammering of the champion.”
“Le Parisien” simply wrote: “Real Madrid is immortal.” Probably also in memory of the duel between the two teams in the semi-finals of the premier class in 2022: Manchester City led 1-0 after 89 minutes at the Bernabeu at the beginning of May, which, together with the 4-3 result from the first leg, was a comfortable lead. Then Rodrygo scored twice within a few seconds and the “Blues” were eliminated in extra time a little later. A game that made the Real Madrid myth shine. Like this one from April 2024.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti only wanted to see the reasons for progress in his current team and what they had brought to the pitch. “Of course I like it when I see a team that sacrifices itself and fights, and also the quality,” said the Italian after the work success: “That’s the only way to win here.” So at the end of an eternal evening the suffering dissolved into sweet pain.