Rio Ferdinand questions Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to bench Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger
‘HOW can you drop someone who has done so well?’: Rio Ferdinand is SHOCKED by Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to bench Antonio Rüdiger for Eder Militao against Man City – after Germany’s Erling Haaland skillfully handled during the last week’s draw in Madrid
- Real Madrid dropped Antonio Rüdiger for Wednesday’s game against Manchester City
- The German star kept Erling Haaland quiet during last week’s semi-final first leg
- Rio Ferdinand has questioned why Carlo Ancelotti chose Eder Militao instead
Rio Ferdinand has questioned Carlo Ancelotti’s ‘massive call’ to drop Antonio Rudiger for Eder Militao on Wednesday as Real Madrid prepare to face Manchester City in their Champions League semi-final second leg.
Rüdiger, deputy for regular first-choice centre-back Militao on Tuesday, delivered a defensive masterclass to hold off City talisman Erling Haaland as the reigning champions pulled off a crucial 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.
The German matched Haaland in speed and physicality throughout the game, forcing the free-scoring Norwegian into a rare quiet match on the big stage.
Despite his prolific display last week, Ancelotti opted to keep faith in the first-team regular on his return, sending Rüdiger to the Real Madrid bench.
When asked to explain Ancelotti’s thought process, Ferdinand admitted on BT Sport: ‘I don’t really know. I watched that game (the first leg) and thought, “Have we finally seen a defender that can handle Haaland?”
Rio Ferdinand has questioned why Antonio Rudiger (left) was dropped by Carlo Ancelotti for Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final at Manchester City on Wednesday
The German international skillfully dealt with City striker Erling Haaland in the first leg last week
Eder Militao (left) was preferred by Ancelotti but had impressed all season for Madrid
“Sometimes you think to yourself, If he’s got his number, you have to follow your instincts. Ancelotti went off with someone he knows, who tried and tested, and of course they won last year with Militao.
“He’s been an integral part of everything that’s been good about them over the last season or so. So he’s gone back to what he knows.
“But I think it’s a huge call. And if things go wrong, that’s something the media in Spain will capitalize on.
“How can you drop someone who has done so well against his talisman?”
Fellow former England international Michael Owen, who joined Ferdinand’s pitch, took a different view, suggesting that Militao deserves to regain his place after a successful season in Madrid.
BT Sport pundits (Ferdinand, center left, Joleon Lescott, center right and Michael Owen, far right) were shocked by the manager’s decision to drop Rüdiger over such a monumental clash
“You could argue that Militao has been (Ancelotti’s) main man, been his go-to guy all season. Are you suddenly going to leave him out because of a good performance?
“If I were in his shoes I’d think ‘I’ve only been out for a game or so, I’ve been doing business all season”. But whatever it is, it’s a huge call.”
Ex-City defender added: ‘From a Man City perspective, I’m happy Militao is playing. He has the same level of aggression as Rüdiger, but less emotional control.
“I think he’s playing to his strengths. With Rüdiger he was focused on stopping Haaland, but with Militao he wants to be Man of the Match and I think sometimes that can hurt other teammates.
