Antonio Rudiger has pushed back against criticism that his aggressive style makes him a danger to team-mates at "Real Madrid" and Germany. The defender came under heavy scrutiny after a La Liga clash with "Getafe", when his knee struck Diego Rico in the face during "Real Madrid"’s 1 0 defeat. Reports Goal.com.
Speaking to FAZ, Rudiger said he does not see himself as a risk to his own side and insisted he understands match situations clearly. At the same time, he admitted he has sometimes gone too far and accepted that he must show greater responsibility on the pitch.
The 33-year-old said he accepts fair criticism and knows some of his past actions were excessive. He added that those moments have made him focus even more, because he wants to bring calm, stability and security rather than become a source of tension for his teams.
Rudiger also said Germany must become a side that opponents find extremely uncomfortable to face again. In his view, talent alone is not enough to win major tournaments, and every player must be ready to do the hard work for the team.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has publicly backed the defender, describing the incident against "Getafe" as tough but part of football. He said Rudiger’s intensity, strong character and desire to win are valuable qualities for the national team ahead of upcoming matches against Switzerland and Ghana.
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