Rudiger is stepping up his recovery ahead of the second leg against Manchester City this Wednesday. Although he has now returned to training with the team, there is concern at Real Madrid as to whether his recovery is complete, with fears that he could recurve his injury.
Rudiger is training with the group, but the fear persists
The return of footballer Antonio Rudiger is undoubtedly one of the biggest pieces of news for Carlo Ancelotti in the run-up to the all-important second leg against Manchester City. The German defender, out of action since February 1 due to a hamstring injury, has completed two training sessions with the group and appears ready for competition. However, within the merengue club, fears of the dreaded relapses persist.
Rudiger wants to be there from the start at the Santiago Bernabéu and is aware of the magnitude of the match. The Merengue club starts with a 2-3 lead obtained at the Etihad Stadium, but he knows full well that any small mistake could be fatal against Pep Guardiola’s team, although the German centre-back is confident. In any case, the coaching staff do not want to take unnecessary risks and jeopardize a key participation at the end of the season.
The rear-guard has responded
Due to the absence of Rudiger and David Alaba in recent weeks, Ancelotti was forced to improvise in defense. The Italian coach had to reconfigure his defensive line, placing Fede Valverde as right back, Mendy on the left and the Tchouameni–Asencio pair as center backs. Far from suffering, the team has shown solidity in that part of the pitch, obtaining good results in both LaLiga and the Champions League.
Ancelotti himself has expressed doubts about whether to keep this block or return Rudiger to the starting line-up; the defensive solidity exhibited by Valverde, Tchouameni and others has made the choice no easy one; the fear that Rudiger will suffer a relapse in his injury still further complicates the Reggiolo coach’s decisions.
Rudiger and Alaba, key against City
Rudiger and Alaba could return to Real Madrid’s starting defense, a line that is considered fundamental to combat the great offensive potential of Manchester City. The Austrian has also left his muscle problems behind and has alternated normal work behind the group, while both will be assessed in today’s training to confirm that their condition is optimal.
Ancelotti’s original plan was to line up Rudiger alongside Asensio in the center of defense in order to be able to put Tchouameni in his natural position of center midfielder. However, these conditions could change due to the uncertainty as to whether the Teutonic center back has fully recovered. Alternatively, the defensive block that has worked so well in recent matches could be maintained.
Valverde still on the sidelines
Another point to highlight is the physical condition of Fede Valverde, as the Uruguayan has been suffering from discomfort since the match against Osasuna and has been taking it easy in training sessions. In any case, he is expected to be available as he could return to the right back position after the absences of Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez.
The injury to Lucas Vázquez is definitive, and Jesús Vallejo will not be available either due to muscle problems. This makes the return of Rudiger and Alaba even more important to provide cover for a Real Madrid defense that is staking the future of their team in the Champions League.
Final decision: Rudiger or continuity
Ancelotti and his team are the ones who decide. Betting on Rudiger means having a first-rate defensive fortress but also risking an injury that could leave him out of the decisive part of the season. Opting to keep the makeshift defense gives continuity and confidence, although it could suffer from City’s offensive violence.
Rudiger’s conflict is ready to happen. The Bernabéu anxiously awaits the contract to be decided by Real Madrid’s future in Europe. The solution will be found next Wednesday, when the ball rolls at the Bernabéu and the night is conducive to strong emotions.