A few hours after the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, a video featuring Raul Asensio and Antonio Rüdiger before the clash against Atlético has been making the rounds in Madrid tabloids.
It’s the kind of footage that delights football fans. Following the Champions League last-16 showdown at the Bernabéu between Madrid’s two great clubs on Tuesday night, several clips from the match have been circulating. While one of them, showing Brahim Diaz confronting Diego Simeone, didn’t escape the cameras, another scene, more revealing of the beliefs of the two Madrid centre-backs, has caught attention. Before referee Clément Turpin’s whistle, Raul Asensio, who regained his place in Real Madrid’s starting eleven alongside Antonio Rüdiger, took a few moments for reflection.
The exceptional pre-match moments of reflection
Known for his strong self-confidence, Asensio has a habit of performing a small prayer ritual before every match. Against the Colchoneros, in a game where there was no room for mistakes in this first leg, the 22-year-old centre-back spent a few seconds in prayer as soon as he stepped onto the pitch. Footage captured from the stands shows him being joined by Antonio Rüdiger, who also took a moment to pray, under the watchful gaze of Thibaut Courtois, observing the two centre-backs intently.
Given how well the defensive duo performed during the match, it’s clear that a promising partnership is emerging at Real Madrid. After the final whistle, the two defenders warmly congratulated each other. Smiling, Rüdiger made a point of acknowledging his young teammate, who brings great stability to the defence whenever he is on the pitch.
Following the 2-1 victory over Atlético, Raul Asensio shared what has been driving his current success in this Real Madrid side. “Day by day, I feel very, very good. I feel very comfortable in matches like these. I’m surrounded by great people, and I want to thank my teammates and the coaching staff for everything they do for me. I hope this continues for a long time,” he told UEFA’s official channel. Real Madrid will certainly be hoping for the same, especially in this crucial stage of the season.
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