When he signed for Real Madrid as a free agent this season, Antonio Rudiger was seen by fans and journalists as a great addition for the Champions League winners in the heart of defense, along with Eder Militao and David Alaba. In fact, it was widely expected that the Brazilian will get a new partner and that the Austrian will move to the left, but coach Carlo Ancelotti had other ideas. The Italian tactician decided to try another option and he did it – he moved Rudiger to the left and played him against Barcelona. The result? A 1-0 defeat from the Catalonians, with Raphina scoring from the left side, Antonio’ side.Militao enjoying the view while Rudiger and Araujo wrestle pic.twitter.com/VsozNhfgAI— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) July 24, 2022 But, that didn’t bothered Ancelotti much. He had two reasons why he moved the German to the left side.“I liked Rudiger a lot. I am not crazy and he is very intelligent. He can play in that position, just as he can also change in the match with Alaba. They didn’t do this against Barcelona because it went well. Alaba as a left-back… only when necessary. I don’t want to change the pair from last year” explained the Italian.Monster Militao! Brazilian defender gets a 100% wage increase and a six-year dealAnd indeed why changing anything that works? Militao – Alaba was the pair hugely responsible for the second best La Liga defense, with only 31 goals in 38 matches (Sevilla was better by only one goal) and Ancelotti also knows that Rudiger is versatile enough to play anywhere in the back four. The German international played in a back four for Lampard and in a back three for Tuchel, one the left side. He even played on the right, during his days with Stuttgart. So, the veteran tactician knows he just got another versatile player he can use when necessary. Don’t be surprised to see Rudiger on the left this season.##NAJAVA_MECA_6528606##
