Exclusive: Real Madrid want ‘revenge’ after last year’s ‘thrashing’ by Manchester City – Antonio Rudiger

Antonio Rudiger, speaking exclusively to TNT Sports, admits Real Madrid will be out for “revenge” when they face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

That paved the way for the Citizens to lift the European Cup for the first time in their history, en route to a magnificent treble.

The first leg of this year’s re-match takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening.

And Rudiger admits the result 12 months ago – and particularly their 4-0 thrashing in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium – will be in the back of Real Madrid’s minds when the sides face off again.

He told TNT Sports: “I think from both sides, there’s a lot of respect for the history because both teams are packed with amazing players and there’s the feeling of last season, of course, something which was a thrashing. We’re looking forward to this game.”

On the topic of revenge, the German defender admitted: “Last year, it was tough.

“It was a tough moment. And so of course there’s a little bit of wanting revenge.”

Bernardo Silva netted twice in last year’s clash at the Etihad, while Manuel Akanji and Julien Alvarez were also on target for the hosts.

That came after Kevin De Bruyne had scored in Spain, following Vinicius Junior’s opener in a 1-1 draw in Madrid.

Rudiger says that shows how many players Los Blancos need to keep an eye on aside from Erling Haaland, who went goalless across the two legs.

“This is the thing about this stage,” he continued. “You want to compete against the best. Last year, they were the best in Europe so it’s good to compete against a lot of good players.

He continued: “It’s not only him [Haaland]. You have to keep the people around him very quiet, which is not an easy job.

“You have to try to prevent them passing them ball to him so then I think you are a step closer to reach the target.”

Real Madrid are a fearsome side themselves, with England star Jude Bellingham leading the way in his first season in Spain.

Youngsters Vinicius Jr., Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrgyo are all under 24 as well, yet play a crucial role in Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

Rudiger believes that shows that the club have an impressive crop of youngsters of their own to call upon.

“The young guns here are very mature,” he added. “If you speak to Jude Bellingham, you can see he’s very mature for his age.

“For them, the sky is not the limit. They go even above that. This is good, because, I have to be honest, when I was at their age, I thought the sky was the limit and that’s it.

“They have a lot of confidence, but like positive confidence, not in a bad way.”

Real, who are well rested after a nine-day break, are chasing a treble of their own this year, as they have already lifted the Supercopa de Espana and currently sit six points clear at the top of La Liga.

It is the Champions League that supporters crave most though, as Los Blancos attempt to add to their record haul of European Cups.

“It’s clear, because the people have won it 14 times already, so they’re kind of used to it,” Rudiger concluded. “It’s something you don’t even need to speak [about]. You see it here on the wall. That says everything.

He added: “It’s an advantage in terms of we are rested, maybe. But in these types of games, it’s about small details. You have to get those right and, of course, in these type of games there’s also a bit of luck.”

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Real Madrid v Manchester City will be live on TNT Sports 2 with coverage from 19:00 UK time on Tuesday, April 9.