October 4th 2024.
At just 24 years old, Erling Haaland is already making a name for himself in the Premier League with an impressive 10 goals this season. His dominance on the field has caught the attention of many, including Manchester City's Antonio Rudiger.
Rudiger, who has faced Haaland four times with Real Madrid, believes that only two centre-backs in the league are capable of stopping the young striker - Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Arsenal's William Saliba. Despite his physical struggles against Haaland, Rudiger has been impressed with how both Van Dijk and Saliba have handled the challenge.
"I'm more of an old-school defender," Rudiger admits. "I love the battle with strikers, especially ones like Haaland. That guy is an absolute beast. I don't know what he eats or what he does, but his power is unbelievable."
Reflecting on Haaland's incredible record of 101 goals in 107 games since moving to England, Rudiger expresses his admiration for the striker's physical prowess. "If you put a cross high at the second post, you can't beat him. He's just too strong. It's crazy. Yes, he didn't score against us [Real Madrid], but he hit the crossbar. We were lucky that day."
When it comes to facing a player like Haaland, Rudiger admits that it's hard to prepare. "You just have to be ready for the physical battle. You can't give him too much space because he's dangerous. If you try to run with him, it can be tough because he's just so strong. There's rarely anyone who can physically match him."
When asked about the best opponent he's faced, Rudiger names Manchester City's Kun Aguero. "That guy was really tough to play against, really, really tough. I could say Messi or Ronaldo, but for me, they are from a different planet. Let's stick to human beings."
It's no surprise that Rudiger has faced some tough opponents in his career, but he also has high praise for his fellow defenders. "Virgil [Van Dijk] is the same size as Haaland, and that's a good match up. And I have to say, Saliba also did very well. He's a promising young player."
In the world of football, it's not uncommon for players to have their own rivalries and challenges on the field. But at the end of the day, they can all appreciate the talent and strength of their opponents. As Rudiger puts it, "It's all part of the game, and that's what makes it so exciting for us and for the fans."
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