National soccer player Antonio Rüdiger defended his sometimes controversial style of play and also criticized himself. “I don’t want to be a source of unrest, but rather provide stability and security. The discussion shows me once again that I have a responsibility that I have not lived up to in some moments,” the central defender told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. Some of his scenes were “clearly over the top”.

Rüdiger “doesn’t want to be a nice companion”

The Berliner also explained his style of play. “Being a tough defender is part of my DNA. If you want to be a one-on-one specialist at this level, you can’t be a nice companion,” said the 33-year-old. “If I leave out this intensity and this dedication, this game on the edge, I’m only worth half as much. This “edge” is exactly what brought me to Real Madrid.”

In his dealings with the opponent, a lot of things are a matter of his head. Rüdiger prepares for his opponents with video analysis and knows “who I need to set an example to with my physical presence early on.” He is not a safety risk for his teams: “Standing on the pitch for nine years without a red card is no coincidence.”