Maintaining silence against Erling Haaland of Manchester City was something Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger accomplished, despite it seeming impossible.

Before traveling to the Bernabeu for Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg, Haaland had scored 51 goals in 46 games. Rudiger seemed to make it his personal mission to stop him.

And that’s exactly what the German center back did.

In addition to failing to add to his already impressive goal total, Haaland was only allowed 21 touches in the entire ninety minutes.

That was less touches than Ederson (29), of Man City, and Thibaut Courtois (43), of Real Madrid.

Haaland was averaging a Champions League goal every 58 minutes prior to facing Rudiger.

However, the defender made it clear why Real Madrid was eager to pursue the Germany international when his Chelsea contract ended in the summer of last year.

To have any chance of keeping Haaland silent, Rudiger realized he needed to gain insight into Haaland’s mind.

Additionally, video shot from the fans demonstrates the Madrid center back’s odd off-the-ball defense of his opponent, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall.

Rudiger can be seen in the video bending down and placing his head under Haaland’s armpits.

It appeared as though he was encouraging Haaland to place him in a headlock, possibly in an attempt to get the referee to call an easy foul.