Those who knew Antonio Rudiger said that Real Madrid would not be too big for him in any way, that there is enough in his long-limbed body to cope with the demands of the 14-time European champions. In fact, that was how confident he also was to MARCA in June. And that’s exactly how he showed himself on his debut against Barcelona.
The German international started in Las Vegas and impressed in the Clasico, making the most of the first opportunity given to him by Carlo Ancelotti. He was deployed at left-back, a position close to the one he played at Chelsea, where he was a left-sided centre-back.
“I liked it a lot,” Ancelotti said of Rudiger’s debut. “I’m not crazy and I know it’s not his position, but he’s very intelligent.”
With Eder Militao, recently renewed until 2028 and a permanent fixture alongside David Alaba in the centre of defence, Rudiger knows he has a tough task ahead of him, but he’s doing a good job of complicating Ancelotti’s decision.
Feud with Araujo
Rudiger had an 85.7 percent pass success rate, nine of them in the opposition half and had two shots on goal. Los Blancos fans can get used to these shots from distance too, as they have become a trademark of his game, although they rarely end in the back of the net.
With such impetus and charisma, it was not surprising that he starred in the image of the match, a brawl with Ronald Araujo.
Rudiger threw himself into the chaos to defend Vinicius, who had been harassed by a couple of dangerous tackles, as leaders do.
Because that, plus being a top centre-back, is what Real Madrid have signed. And for free.
Marca
