Germany's Nagelsmann defends Rüdiger after heavy criticism
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann (L) and Antonio Ruediger attend a press conference at Allianz Arena, ahead of the 2024 UEFA Nations League soccer match against Netherlands. Nagelsmann has defended Antonio Ruediger after the Real Madrid centre back was recently criticized for a bad foul, the latest in a series of negative headlines. Christian Charisius/dpa Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has defended Antonio Rüdiger after the Real Madrid centre back was recently criticized for a bad foul, the latest in a series of negative headlines.
He was included in Nagelsmann's squad on Thursday for World Cup warm-ups against Switzerland on March 27 and Ghana on March 30 having missed the last squad in November due to injury. "What I can say is that Antonio is incredibly committed when it comes to the national team. He is someone who also really protects the national team family and does everything to ensure we are successful," the coach told a news conference.
Rüdiger has been under the microscope in Spain after a hard challenge in a league match against Getafe. Opponent Diego Rico accused the German of wanting to injure him, something the defender vehemently rejected. Nagelsmann described it as a "football-specific" foul and that Rüdiger was a player who "polarizes" and where "more is made of it than with others.
" Nagelsmann criticized the 33-year-old last year after the Madrid player threw a cold pack from the bench towards the referee against Barcelona. But he says that was an exception. "His development over the past few months and years with us in the national team, since I have been in the job, has been consistently positive, including his commitment off the pitch," the coach said.
Despite the kind words, Nagelsmann hinted Jonathan Tah of Bayern Munich and Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck will be the starting centre backs at the World Cup in June and July in North America.