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In a night of intense Champions League action, Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger emerged as an unsung hero in the eyes of the Madridistas. The defender's robust display against Manchester City was lauded by fans, as he rose to the occasion, keeping City's potent attack at bay.
While Rudiger's contribution to Madrid's possession and long-pass accuracy might not have been noteworthy, his defensive prowess stole the show. He was a human fortress, making crucial clearances, orchestrating defensive recoveries, and effectively neutralizing City's primary offensive weapon, Erling Haaland.
Despite his relentless efforts, Madrid did concede a goal - a moment of sheer genius from Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne. Yet, this momentary lapse didn't overshadow Rudiger's stellar performance in the backline, which by any measure, was nothing short of remarkable.
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Fans flooded Twitter with accolades for the German center-back. Among the many tweets celebrating Rudiger's performance, here are a few that reflect the fans' admiration for their defensive stalwart:
Manchester City and Real Madrid draw at the Santiago Bernabeu
In a pulsating display of top-tier football, Real Madrid and Manchester City battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. The match saw two stunning goals from Madrid's Vinicius Junior and City's Kevin De Bruyne, adding to the spectacle of the night.
City seized control of the game early on, dictating the tempo with their possession and intense pressing. However, Madrid's staunch defense managed to limit the English side to half-chances.
De Bruyne and Rodri tested Madrid's custodian Thibaut Courtois from a distance, while prolific striker Erling Haaland failed to capitalize on his scarce opportunities.
Against the run of play, Real Madrid, with their sole shot of the first half, broke the deadlock. Eduardo Camavinga made a dynamic run from deep within his half before assisting Vinicius. The Brazilian forward unleashed a blistering right-footed strike from nearly 30 yards out, beating Ederson to find the back of the net (36').
Despite City's commanding 70 percent possession in the first half, Madrid nearly doubled their lead early in the second half. Karim Benzema came agonizingly close with a left-footed attempt that sailed just over the crossbar. Madrid's ambitious penalty appeal for a handball against Jack Grealish was waved off.
However, City, showing their mettle, didn't buckle under the pressure exerted by the Spanish giants. In the 67th minute, a pivotal interception by Rodri turned the tide.
After dispossessing Camavinga deep in Real Madrid's half, Ilkay Gundogan teed up De Bruyne, who found just enough room to unleash a perfectly struck shot past Courtois. This drew City level.
With one leg to go, the stage is set for an exhilarating second encounter as these two footballing juggernauts continue their quest for the coveted Champions League crown.
