At a glance
- Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in a Champions League quarterfinal first leg tie on Tuesday.
- Once more, Antonio Rudiger criticised his fellow defenders by saying that Bayern Munich’s goals were “gifts”.
- But the German still “always” has faith that Los Blancos can pull off a remontada in the second leg next Wednesday.
Antonio Rudiger yet again ripped into his Real Madrid teammates by saying that Bayern Munich’s goals in a 2-1 Champions League quarterfinal first leg win on Tuesday were “gifts”.
Trent-Alexander Arnold came under fire online after letting Luis Diaz get behind his back and score the opener approaching half time in the Bernabeu.
Then, the subject of Rudiger’s anger on Saturday during a defeat by the same margin at Mallorca – Alvaro Carreras – was dispossessed paving the way for Harry Kane to score the second.
Kylian Mbappe gave Madrid hope to take to the Allianz Arena for the second leg. Yet speaking to Movistar at full time, Rudiger didn’t mince his words.
Rudiger spoke his mind about Real Madrid performance
Asked if the response to Bayern’s second goal was the best part of the match, Rudiger agreed.
“Yes, [but] in the end we came out in the second half and conceded a goal directly. In the two goals… they were gifts. But in the second half… we need more,” Rudiger stated.
“We talked about those things, that we couldn’t lose balls like that. Because at this level it is very dangerous. And it happened,” he added, in another dig at Carreras.
As for Madrid’s performance on the other side of the ball, Rudiger conceded that his men had “chances to score more”.
“We need to shoot more… But on goal! But today Bayern’s best player was the goalkeeper, [Manuel] Neuer,” Rudiger insisted.
Rudiger is keeping the faith
Finally asked if he has “hope” of Madrid turning things round, Rudiger said: “Of course, always”.
While their record 15-time winning pedigree in the speaks for itself, Madrid will need more than just faith to reach the semi-finals.
Rudiger and Co. need to pull themselves together across the backline, though Eder Militao continues to show his quality off the bench and could start at the Allianz for the decider next week to partner him.
