Antonio Rudiger has warned Chelsea of ??two Real Madrid players who could shatter their Champions League dreams for a second consecutive season. The German defender was knocked out in the quarter-finals at the hands of Los Blancos a year ago but will now represent the holders against Chelsea. Rudiger left Stamford Bridge on a free transfer last summer, five years after joining AS Roma for Ł29m.
The 30-year-old played an important role under Carlo Ancelotti, making 38 appearances in all competitions.
And he will certainly consider speaking out against his former club as Real pursue an unprecedented 15th Champions League title.
After the La Liga giants won 5-4 after extra time in a thrilling tie with Chelsea in the league last season, Rudiger praised Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.
He told BT Sport:
“In both feet, if you make such mistakes, you will be punished. More really...
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“It's do or die for us. Before the game, not everyone thought we could lead 3-0, but then individual class appeared with Modric and Benzema. We are here now.
Benzema and Modric show no signs of slowing down this season. This duo embodies class when Real beat Liverpool with a final score of 6-2 in the round of 16.
And teachers and students Graham Potter will have to defeat both first if they want to have a chance to reach the semi-finals. This will be the third consecutive season the two European heavyweights have met in the Champions League, with one victory each.
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Chelsea beat Real with a final score of 3-1 on the way to lifting the title in the 2021/22 season, but the Covid-19 atmosphere has not helped this team's usual aura flourish.
Should the Blues overcome their familiar rivals, another league favorite, Manchester City or Bayern Munich, awaits them in the semi-finals.
But Potter will urge his side to take it one step at a time, with this season's Champions League possibly their best chance to qualify for the 2023/24 edition.
Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League, 11 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with one game less.
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