Antonio Rudiger says he was rooting for Real v Liverpool
Germany defender Antonio Rudiger said on Monday he was rooting for Real Madrid to beat Liverpool in the Champions League final last month because was still hurting after losing the FA Cup and League Cup finals with Chelsea against the Merseyside club.
Real ground out three come-from-behind wins against Paris St-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City in the knockout stage to reach the final, where they beat Liverpool 1-0 in Paris.
“I was really happy that Real Madrid won. I knew that I was going to play here and it was like a personal third final for me after those two losses in cup finals to Liverpool,” Rudiger told a news conference as he was unveiled as a Real player.
The 29-year-old centre-back agreed to join the LaLiga and European champions on a four-year deal as a free agent as his contract with Chelsea expired at the end of the 2021-22 season.
“Real Madrid is about winning. That’s what it means to play in this club and I’m really looking forward to start.
“What they did last year in the Champions League was hard to explain and put into words. It was incredible. They did it against all odds and doubts. Really remarkable,” Rudiger said.
Rudiger, who was part of the Chelsea side eliminated by Real in the quarterfinals, said playing against the team that could be his future club was not an issue.
Read also: Antonio Rudiger agrees to join Real Madrid on a 4year deal
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