Real Madrid fans feel Ancelotti will ‘regret’ leaving player out of line-up to face Man City

Real Madrid fans are bemused by Carlo Ancelotti's decision not to start Antonio Rudiger against Manchester City in the two sides' Champions League showdown.

Los Blancos have made the trip to the Etihad to face City in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal. The tie is all to play for following a 1-1 draw from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Rudiger started and impressed in that game, nullifying the threat posed by Cityzens frontman Erling Haaland. The German defender gelled well with David Alaba in defense with City's in-form striker barely getting a sniff.

However, Ancelotti has decided to drop Rudiger to the bench for the second leg, with Eder Militao coming in as his replacement. This comes as a surprise given that the German was so impactful at the Bernabeu. He made three clearances, one interception, and won two of four aerial duals.

Ancelotti has selected Thibaut Courtois in goal, with Dani Carvajal, Alaba, and Eduardo Camavinga joining Militao in defense. 

They are tasked with trying to prevent Haaland from continuing his remarkable season in which he has bagged 52 goals across competitions.Meanwhile, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric are selected in midfield. Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, and Rodrygo are in attack. Yet fans are not overly confident due to Rudiger's snub.

One fan thinks the former Chelsea defender has been disrespected:

"Biggest disrespect of all time after the game he had."

Another fan thinks it's cruel on the German international:

"Benching Rudiger after that performance is just cruel at best."

One Real Madrid fan thinks Ancelotti will live to regret his decision:

"We shall regret leaving Rudiger on the bench."

@MadridXtra: Biggest disrespect of all time after the game he had

@MadridXtra: No Rudiger after that last game is crazy

@MadridXtra: No way Rudiger isn't starting after the first leg performance. Absolutely No way.