Real Madrid veteran puts on a warrior’s performance against Barcelona but could not help generate controversy

It was a night filled with emotions as Real Madrid faced FC Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey on Saturday. The two teams left their all on the pitch and remained even as the game went into extra time. Unfortunately for the Merengues, the Catalans took advantage of some of their mistakes to get a win in the second half of extra time.

Everything seemed set to make it another night of suffering for Los Blancos as the Blaugranes were all over the pitch in the first half. However, they overturned things in the second half to make this game more even and competitive.

Still, Real Madrid needed to be at the top of their defensive game to keep a team as strong as Barcelona from scoring a lot of goals.

No one understood this task as well as the veteran defender Antonio Rudiger, who put in a heroic performance in this game.

As Sofascore statistics show, the German made 7 clearances, 1 interception, and 4 tackles, while also blocking 2 shots. He won 5 of the 8 ground duels he was engaged in, and also the only 1 aerial duel he went into. The German was also once again good with his passing, as he completed 32 of the 35 passes he attempted, recording a 91% accuracy rate.

By the 111^th minute of the game, it was clear that Rudiger could not take it anymore, and Carlo Ancelotti was forced to take him off the pitch. After the game, the defender had to undergo surgery, as he revealed he had been playing with pain for several months. This makes his performance even more heroic.

Unfortunately, the German defender’s night had to be remembered for something entirely unrelated to such a warrior-like performance.

The veteran could not contain his emotions as the referee blew for a foul when Kylian Mbappe was looking set to launch one of the last few attacks for his team. He threw packs of ice at the referee and had to be restrained by several members of the staff and his teammates.

The centre-back later apologised for his actions, but was banned for six matches for these actions. This suspension is not expected to affect him a lot, as he is set to miss the next several weeks after undergoing surgery and will be able to play only next season.

Still, this heroic performance in such demanding circumstances goes on to show how much the badge means for Antonio Rudiger.