Rüdiger: “We're confident in ourselves, we're in good form and we're going to do it”

Antonio Rüdiger spoke to the media in the press room at Real Madrid City on the day before the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City (Tuesday, 9pm CEST). The German player said: "It's been a great season for me on a personal level and also for my team-mates. I'm pretty happy about it. But to be honest, it doesn't matter to me. We are aware of the importance of the Champions League for this club, also LaLiga, and nothing will matter if we don't progress in the end".

How do you stop Haaland?
"It was a good game last year at home at the Bernabéu, and I think we all did a good job keeping Haaland in check. We managed the situation very well and he didn't receive many passes. I didn't play in the second game. The coach doesn't have to apologise to me. He had his plan and as a player I have to accept it, even though it was difficult to accept it. The plan for this game is going to be the same as last year, to basically try to control their most tricky and dangerous players like De Bruyne, Foden or Haaland".

Do you feel like the leader of Real Madrid's defence?
"It's difficult for me to talk about myself as a leader, I try to do my job. It's the coach's decision who plays alongside me. I play very well with Nacho, who has a lot of experience and is our captain and Tchouameni is also doing a great job. I've read the statistics and we've never lost a game with either of them. It depends on the coach. It doesn't matter to me".

In what way are you and Real Madrid better this year?
"We're always positive about getting through to the next round. We're going to have a tough game against City but this is Real Madrid. We're confident in ourselves. The momentum shows that we're in good form, we're feeling good, we're a big family and we have to show that on the pitch and I'm sure we're going to get there".

How do you see the first leg from the defensive point of view?
"We're not going to sit back and let City take a share of the game. There are periods when we'll have to press higher and others when we'll have to defend more. We're ready to do that regardless of what they put in front of us. You'll attack but you'll also defend".

Who is the toughest forward you've come up against?
"Haaland is one of the strongest for sure, but if I had to name one it would be Kun Aguero. It's not about Kun. As I said regarding Haaland, he lives off the passes from his team-mates. You can't control everything and players like De Bruyne and the like play good passes to Haaland, so you have to control them as well."

Bellingham
"Honestly I was a bit surprised at first because I didn't know much about him, my goodness. He's got a huge personality, unbelievable, in the dressing room as well. He's 20 years old but you have the feeling that he's experienced everything in life. He's very mature for his age and that's why I'm not surprised. He's a great player".
"I'm sure he's going to be a leader. He's a very mature player. He's a professional in everything that he does and a very good team-mate. We have to pray that he stays as healthy as he is. He has wonderful parents who keep his feet on the ground off the pitch".

City's game against Arsenal
"I didn't watch the game but I've heard things. I can't say I learnt anything but I can say it was a very sound defensive game".

His iconic image with Haaland
"There were a lot of photos and videos but I don't plan things. That's in the moment, what comes to me and what I'm going to do is take that duel personally. I'm a defensive player against a top forward. But I don't plan these things, they come to me at the time".