Real Madrid fans were left confused after manager Carlo Ancelotti benched defender Antonio Rudiger for the crucial second leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium.
Rudiger marked City’s star striker Erling Haaland exceedingly well during last week’s clash and did not allow the Norwegian to get into clear goal-scoring positions.
Rudiger has been replaced by Eder Militao in the starting XI, with the Brazilian returning after sitting out the first leg through a suspension.
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The first leg in Spain ended in a 1-1 draw where Madrid edged ahead through a brilliant Vinicius Jr goal, but City's Kevin De Bruyne equalised in the second half with a spectacular shot.
It must be noted that Real Madrid are winless in their previous four away games against Manchester City in the Champions League, which includes two defeats and as many draws. The only team they have faced more times away from home in the UCL without ever winning is Milan after losing five times in seven matches.
Earlier, Ancelotti said that his side are keen on winning a record-extending 15th European Cup title.
"Quality alone is not enough to face games like this, you need to have other things," Ancelotti told a news conference on Tuesday.
"It's not easy to explain (Real's recipe for success), but I think the Champions League is special for Real Madrid because of the history. It's the first five European Cups Real won and how that history still lives today."
Starting XIs
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji, Rodrigo, Gundogan (c), De Bruyne, Bernardo, Grealish, Haaland
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga, Valverde, Kroos, Modric, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Benzema.