Antonio Rudiger says only two defenders can stop Erling Haaland

10/04/2024 11:16 AM

Antonio Rudiger believes Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Arsenal’s William Saliba are the only two centre-backs who can stop Erling Haaland.

The Manchester City striker already has 10 goals in the Premier League this season and has scored an incredible 101 goals in 107 games since moving to England.

Rudiger has faced Haaland four times with Real Madrid and admits he has physically struggled against the 24-year-old.

However, the former Chelsea centre-back has been impressed with how both Van Dijk and Saliba have dealt with Haaland.

‘I think I'm more of an old-school defender who loves this battle with strikers, especially with strikers like him [Haaland] because that guy is an absolute beast,’ Rudiger said on The Inside Scoop.

‘I don't know what he eats or what he does, but he's… wow, the power he has.

‘When I see his goals, if you put a cross high at the second post you can't beat him. You cannot beat him. If he wants, you’re under him every day.

‘He's a beast, it’s crazy. Yes, he didn't score against us [Real Madrid] and stuff like this but he hit the crossbar, there was luck on our side.

‘How do I prepare for this type of player, it's hard to prepare because you just have to be ready for the physical battle.

‘You just have to be ready for this and try not give him too much space in your back because he's dangerous. If you run with him, it can be tough because when he puts his arm out.

‘There’s rarely people who can physically match him. The ones I’ve seen in the last couple of years is Virgil [Van Dijk], who is the same size as him, that’s a good match up, and I have to say Saliba also did very well.’

Asked to name the best opponent he’s faced, Rudiger replied: ‘For me, the striker who gave me a lot of headaches was Kun Aguero.

‘That guy was really tough to play against, really, really tough.

‘I could say Messi or Ronaldo but for me they are from a different planet so we go with human beings.’

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