Footage shows Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger telling Andriy Lunin where to dive before a vital penalty in Champions League win over Manchester City… and did Kepa help his teammate bluff Bernardo Silva ?
Antonio Rudiger appeared to tell Andriy Lunin which direction Mateo Kovacic would send his penalty before the goalkeeper made a vital save to help Real Madrid beat Manchester City on Wednesday night.
The footage shows Rudiger frantically pointing to his left – the goalkeeper’s right – moments before his former Chelsea teammate took his spot-kick.
Lunin obliged, diving low to his right to repel Kovacic’s effort. It made the difference as the 14-time European champions reached the semi-finals after Wednesday’s second leg ended 1-1 in 120 minutes.
After Lunin’s heroics, Luka Modric could be seen hitting Rudiger, who celebrated wildly before stepping up to score the decisive penalty minutes later.
Manchester City had led the shootout after Modric saw his penalty saved by Ederson, only for Bernardo Silva to miss his shot with a dreadful effort that floated straight into Lunin’s hands.
Antonio Rudiger appeared to tell Andriy Lunin which way Mateo Kovacic would shoot
Real Madrid goalkeeper followed Rudiger’s instructions and saved Kovacic
Rudiger celebrated wildly after his former Chelsea teammate was denied from 12 yards
After the match, speculation abounded as to whether Real Madrid’s replacement goalkeeper – Kepa Arrizabalaga – had also played his part in warning Lunin that Silva would cut his penalty straight down the middle.
Eagle-eyed supporters found footage of Kepa being beaten by an almost identical penalty by Silva during his Chelsea days.
On that day – the 2019 Carabao Cup final – the goalkeeper dove to his right as Silva nonchalantly placed his effort into the net.
This time, however, Lunin stood still while Silva attempted the same trick – minutes after the two goalkeepers were seen in conversation.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was seen in conversation with Lunin shortly before the shooting
Bernardo Silva’s effort in the center was easily stopped by the Madrid goalkeeper.
Rudiger stepped up to score the decisive penalty as Real Madrid reached the semi-finals
Lunin later revealed that the decision to stay put was made before the shooting.
“I had to take a risk with one of the kicks, we went for one (to stay in the middle) and thank God it worked in our favor,” Lunin said.
“It’s a Champions League away game and we’ve gone through a lot of pain… but I’m very grateful to the team for everything they’ve fought for. I can’t say anything imagine running like my teammates did today.
This save was the turning point in the shootout as Madrid scored their last four penalties and reached the semi-finals.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will now face Bayern Munich in the last four after the German giants beat Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate.
