Rudiger has warned Chelsea about Real Madrid duo that can kill them

Chelsea's next six Premier League fixtures

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Antonio Rudiger has already warned Chelsea about two Real Madrid players who can dash their Champions League dreams for a second successive season. The Germany defender suffered a quarter-final exit at the hands of Los Blancos a year ago but will now represent the holders against Chelsea.

Rudiger left Stamford Bridge on a free transfer last summer, five years after joining from AS Roma in a £29million deal.

The 30-year-old has played an important role under Carlo Ancelotti, making 38 appearances in all competitions.

And he will undoubtedly be eyeing having a say against his former club as Real pursue an unprecedented 15th Champions League crown.

After the La Liga giants triumphed 5-4 after extra-time in a thriller against Chelsea in last season’s competition, Rudiger hailed Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.

He told BT Sport: “Over the two legs if you make these kinds of mistakes, you get punished.

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“It was do-or-die for us. Before the game, not everybody thought we could get to 3-0, but then the individual class came to light with Modric and Benzema. Now we are here.”

Benzema and Modric have shown no signs of slowing down this season. The duo were class personified as Real dumped Liverpool out 6-2 on aggregate in the last 16.

And Graham Potter’s side will have to shut both down as a priority if they are to stand any chance of reaching the semi-finals.

It will be the third consecutive season the two European heavyweights clash in the Champions League, with one victory apiece.

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Chelsea beat Real 3-1 on aggregate on their way to lifting the honour in the 2021/22 season, but the Covid-stricken atmosphere didn’t help the latter’s usual aura thrive.

If the Blues navigate past their familiar foes, another competition favourite in Manchester City or Bayern Munich await in the semi-finals.

But Potter will urge his side to take it one step at a time, with this season’s Champions League likely their best chance of qualifying for the 2023/24 edition.

Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League, 11 points behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur, with a game in hand.

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