“He looks terrible, but I didn't kill him”

The very physical style, often beyond the limit of regulation, in which Antonio Rudiger solves duels with direct opponents was also a topic of discussion at the press conference before the return of Manchester City – Real Madrid.

Antonio Rudiger: “If I had gone there with that intention, he wouldn't have got up from the bottom”

English journalists reminded him of his recent brutal entrance in a match against Getafe when he kneed direct opponent Diego Rico in the face, and the German defender gave them an equally brutal response.

“When you see the slow motion footage, it looks terrible. But I didn't kill him, he shouldn't have gone overboard. If I had gone there with that intention, he wouldn't have gotten up from the ground. I'm not justifying that, but he ran after that, didn't he?”

When you see the action in real time, it's something else. I don't want to argue with him. I think the guy overreacted. He needed some attention. We should not dwell on this or say that someone wanted to kill you, as he did.

We have to keep things under control.'', commented Rudiger, who then appeared to send a message to Tuesday's opponents: “I like to be tough, but I have my limits, which I don't cross.”

Antonio Rudiger, on the duels with Erling Haaland: “I really like that physical battle, I need it”

The Real Madrid defender also spoke about his duels with Erling Haaland, whom he will have to face again at the Etihad: “I have faced him many times… he is a world-class player and he is young.

It is very strong and i always liked the duels with the strong players. In the group stage match, he won the battle against me. Players like Haaland are strong. I really like that physical fight, I need it. He's a good guy and an even better footballer. There is nothing left to say.”