The Bayer Leverkusen centre-back explained why strikers hate facing Real Madrid's centre-back.
Jonathan Tah has been in the spotlight almost constantly in recent months. The Bayer Leverkusen centre-back's contract expires at the end of the season and Barcelona believe he will join them on a free contract, although he has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid, where his international teammate and friend Antonio Rüdiger plays.
In an interview with Goal, the defender, although he has not given any clues about his future, has explained the 'mind games' he is playing with Rüdiger – the man nicknamed the Madman (El Loco) at his club and in Mannschaft .
Rudiger's mind games
“There are always things you can learn from, I look at who can do certain things better than me. When I look at Rüdiger and his mind games I celebrate them, they are unpleasant for all opponents. And these are things that you can certainly adapt to your own game,” the central defender began.
The German also claims he has recognized the importance of the different strategies the Real Madrid defender uses to take rival players out of the game.
Making life as difficult as possible for opponents
“I don't imitate him, but I know how disgusting it is when a striker constantly feels like someone is breathing down your neck or saying something in your ear. I know it's disgusting. Toni is doing it perfectly. And of course you carry it with you and do it. It's not that I copied him, but it makes you more aware of these things when you see him do it and he becomes more and more successful. And then you think: 'maybe I can do more with it'.”
Both centre-backs have got on very well since coming together in the national team and have earned the trust of all the coaches who have been at the helm, including the latest, Julian Nagelsmann. Their opponents, especially attackers, have suffered – not only because of their defensive solvency, but also because of their ability to take them out of the game. A quality that they “want to improve every day”.
When asked if he feels sorry for the attackers they face, Tah replied bluntly: “Not at all! I think it's been really terrible for all the attackers we've met together. When I play next to Toni, I know I have a crazy guy by my side. So because I am also crazy, together we will make it very difficult for the attackers.”
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