At a glance
- DAZN Espana’s cameras picked up Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger scolding teammate Alvaro Carreras.
- The German ordered the Spaniard to press more, during a 2-1 defeat to Mallorca.
- Both players are expected to start in the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich.
DAZN Espana’s cameras caught Real Madrid centreback Antonio Rudiger berating Alvaro Carreras after they conceded a goal against Mallorca.
The 2-1 Saturday defeat meant FC Barcelona opened up a seven-point lead at the summit considering their win by the same margin over Atletico Madrid.
Los Blancos went behind to a goal from Manu Morlanes on the stroke of half time. Rudiger felt that Carreras could have done more when it came to marking on Pablo Maffeo’s cross, and voiced his opinion.
“Hey, you’re a defender. You have to press harder”, the German complained. On another play, Rudiger also warned the €50 million summer signing from Benfica to be more intense.
Real Madrid left back Carreras can also be blamed for Muriqi’s winner
Eder Militao’s comeback and equaliser were among few highlights for Real Madrid. Returning from a December hamstring tear, the Brazilian looked to have stolen a valuable point for the visitors in Son Moix with a 88th minute header from the penalty spot.
Just three later, however, Madrid’s full-backs completely switched off. Trent-Alexander Arnold and Carreras allowed Verdat Muriqi to slip away, and smash the winner past Andriy Lunin.
As explained, the shock defeat allowed title race rivals Barca to open up a seven-point gap with their own victory at the Metropolitano.
Rudiger’s remarks show his commitment to the cause and the demands of playing at a top class club like Madrid. But Carreras will have to wake up post-haste ahead of Tuesday’s match at the Bernabeu.
That’s if he makes it off the bench. In his place, Fran Garcia is expected to start against Bayern Munich in a mouthwatering quarterfinal first leg clash.
Whoever gets the nod, they’ll be punished for any lapses in concentration against an outfit currently among the strongest in Europe.
