Erling Haaland ‘scares’ Real Madrid players, confesses Rodrygo ahead of Champions League semifinal
Real Madrid’s forward Rodrygo Goes has been in fine touch in the build-up to tonight’s big-ticket UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg.
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Rodrygo and Haaland (Credit: Google)
Real Madrid’s forward Rodrygo Goes has been in fine touch in the build-up to tonight’s big-ticket UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg clash with Manchester City. Two days ago, he scored both goals as Real beat Osasuna 2-1 to lift the Copa del Rey. In Real’s last five games, Rodrygo has three goals and an assist to his name.
However, he realizes the importance of controlling Manchester City’s superstar striker Erling Haaland. In a recent interview, Rodrygo singled out Haaland, who has scored a record 35 goals in the English Premier League, as the most dangerous man in City’s line-up. “Haaland scores a lot of goals. No one knows how to stop him. I hope he doesn’t score against us. Manchester City is always scary. They are a great team, they play very well, but we are confident that we can win,” said Rodrygo.
City would be still hurting from their last visit to the Santiago Bernabeu where they suffered a painful defeat. Having led 5-3 (on aggregate) against Real till the 89th minute of the second leg, City eventually lost via tie-breaker. It’s no wonder then that City’s talismanic midfielder Bernardo Silva wants revenge. “We would be stupid if we didn’t respect them, but we have that goal, knowing that we lost last year in difficult circumstances. This time we will try to make it different,” said Silva.
Both Real and City have been in top touch in the run-up to this encounter. While reigning champions Real hammered four goals with no reply past Chelsea across their two quarter-final legs, City comprehensively beat Bayern Munich 4-1 on aggregate. City are in the hunt for their first Champions League title, especially after the painful defeat suffered in the final in 2021. Real, on the other hand, have an extensive history in the coveted competition, with a record 14 titles. Haaland has scored 12 goals in the Champions League this season, surpassing his previous best of 10.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City predicted line-ups
Manchester City are still on the hunt for a potential treble as they travel to face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. A third Premier League title in a row is looking ever more likely, but Pep Guardiola’s side is also a major contender for a first continental crown.
To get to the Istanbul final, they will have to get past the defending champions, with Carlo Ancelotti’s serial winners back in the last four and likely to provide a tough test. With their league hopes over, Real Madrid can focus fully on this two-legged affair as they look to set up a final against either Inter or AC Milan.
Teams:
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.
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