Antonio Rudiger already sent warning to Chelsea about Real Madrid duo who can kill them
Antonio Rudiger has already warned Chelsea about two Real Madrid players who pose a threat to their Champions League hopes for a second consecutive year.
The Germany defender was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Real Madrid a year ago, but will now represent the champions against Chelsea.
Rudiger left Chelsea on a free transfer last summer, five years after joining for £29 million from AS Roma.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, the 30-year-old has played an important role, totaling 38 appearances across all competitions.
And he will undoubtedly want to have a say against his former club as Real pursues a record-breaking fifteenth Champions League title.
Rudiger praised Karim Benzema and Luka Modric following the La Liga titans’ 5-4 extra-time victory over Chelsea in the competition of the previous season.
He told BT Sport: “Over the two legs if you make these kinds of mistakes, you get punished.
“It was do-or-die for us. Before the game, not everybody thought we could get to 3-0, but then the individual class came to light with Modric and Benzema. Now we are here.”
This season, Benzema and Modric have shown no signs of slowing down. Real eliminated Liverpool from the tournament in the round of 16 by a combined score of 6-2.
And if Graham Potter’s squad is to have any chance of advancing to the semifinals, they will have to shut down both players as a top priority.
It will be the third consecutive season that these two European powerhouses meet in the Champions League, with each team having won once.
Chelsea defeated Real 3-1 on aggregate en route to winning the title in the 2021/22 season, but the Covid-infested atmosphere hindered Real’s usual aura.
If Chelsea can get past their familiar foes, Manchester City or Bayern Munich will be waiting for them in the semi-finals.
But Potter will urge his team to take things one step at a time, with this season’s Champions League likely being their best chance of qualifying for 2023/24.
With a game in hand, Chelsea is tenth in the Premier League, 11 points behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur.
Antonio Rudiger already sent warning to Chelsea about Real Madrid duo who can kill them
