Actual Madrid star Antonio Rudiger is worked up to face his ‘previous buddies’ when his present group takes on his former facet Chelsea within the Champions League as soon as once more.
For the third straight yr, the European giants have been drawn in opposition to one another within the competitors. They met for the primary time within the semi-finals of the 2020-21 season, the place Chelsea prevailed 3-1 on combination en path to successful the competitors.
The following yr, Actual Madrid exacted revenge by knocking out the holders within the quarterfinals, successful 5-4 on combination. Rudiger performed in all 4 clashes with the Blues, scoring on the Santiago Bernabeu final yr.
He switched sides final summer time however is relishing the prospect of going through Chelsea. The German tweeted (by way of Metro):
“This will likely be very particular – Can’t wait to see so many buddies once more.”
Rudiger spent 5 years at Chelsea, making 203 appearances, together with 133 within the Premier League, and received 5 titles, establishing himself as a membership legend. Nevertheless, he is not the one former Blues participant who will likely be developing in opposition to their previous group subsequent month, as Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois are additionally within the group.
Courtois left Chelsea for Actual Madrid in 2018, whereas Hazard adopted go well with a yr later. Each have performed the Blues within the final two ties with Madrid.
Actual Madrid host Chelsea within the first leg of the quarterfinals on April 12 adopted by the return leg at Stamford Bridge six days later. The winner of the tie will face Manchester Metropolis or Bayern Munich for a spot within the ultimate.
Actual Madrid versus Chelsea goes from rarity to annual fest
Until April 2021, Madrid and Chelsea had not met one another within the Champions League regardless of being common members.
Therefore, there was an air of pleasure when the pair have been drawn in opposition to one another within the final 4 of the competitors for the primary time, two years in the past. In 2022, the perimeters met as soon as extra for a two-legged tie, and now, for the third straight yr, the European giants will lock horns.