After four games, Erling Haaland ended his goal drought against Real Madrid, scoring two goals that give Manchester City hope that they can turn around the tie at the Santiago Bernabéu. However, he was once again uncomfortable due to the tight marking he received from Raúl Asencio.

Asencio played with Haaland like Rüdiger

In previous editions of the games between Real Madrid and Manchester City, images of Rüdiger closely watching Haaland went viral, and the Norwegian was always frustrated. Asencio took note of these performances to once again frustrate the Norwegian… even though he couldn’t stop him from scoring two goals.

So much so, that in the second half, both players had a small altercation in which the Real Madrid player didn’t feel intimidated. A demonstration that, even though he lacks experience, he has plenty of personality. In fact, he won all the duels (4/4) he faced throughout the match. Moreover, he didn’t commit a single foul.

Ancelotti says that Rüdiger and Alaba will be ready for the return leg

An impressive performance, considering that Real Madrid had to form a makeshift defense with Tchouaméni as a center-back and Valverde as a right-back. The question, however, is whether it will be enough to convince Ancelotti that he should be a starter in the next match.

Especially since the Italian coach of Real Madrid said that Rüdiger, and even Alaba, might be available. However, as already happened against Valladolid a few weeks ago, it’s possible that Asencio will take the right-back position due to the absence of Lucas Vázquez. In any case, as he showed against Atlético de Madrid, he should be a starter.