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‘If I meant to do it, I would’ve injured him’ – Antonio Rudiger on brutal knee to the head of Getafe defender Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has accused Diego Rico of exaggerating his knee to the head while he was on the floor during their defeat to Getafe two weeks ago. The German defender was roundly criticised for the aggressive or careless nature in which he went in on Rico. Rudiger escaped punishment on the night, with the VAR deciding not to intervene in the incident, much to the frustration of the Getafe players and staff.
Rico gave an interview the following day saying that if he had caught him badly , then he could have left him on the grass. He also noted that were it the other way around, then he would likely have received a 10-game ban. “I’ve seen the slow-motion replays and it looks terrible.
But if you watch the play itself… I’m not going to argue with him, but I didn’t kill him. He shouldn’t exaggerate the contact, because if I had gone in with the intention to injure him, I’d have injured him. I spoke with him after the match.
If you freeze-frame the image, it doesn’t tell you everything. And it wasn’t a red card, why didn’t get sent off? I never intended to hurt him.
I like to be tough when I play, but I have limits that I don’t cross. That’s why I think those statements are a bit exaggerated. Maybe he wants to be the star of the show, but he should keep it low-key.