Antonio Rudiger was one of the unlikely protagonists of Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Everton.
A goalless draw always means unlikely incidents get the spotlight, and this was no exception.
The German defender towered over Bernard of Everton at one point, after the Brazilian went down a little easily nuder a challenge.
Bernard leapt to his feet and pushed his head into Rudiger, who went down like a house of cards.
Both players were booked for the incident.
While pretending to be knocked down by a man a foot small than you is pretty embarrassing, Rudiger has a point. He was very unhappy that he was booked at all, given he was the recipient rather than the giver of the headbutt.
The Telegraph have quotes from the German speaking about the lack of VAR in the top flight, and how his colleague could have been in trouble.
“I think if in England we have VAR then I think Bernard has a problem. He was diving and I told him to stand up, and then I was standing and he came with a lot of speed and hit me with his forehead, and I get a yellow card. To me that’s a joke,” the Germany defender said, and it’s hard to disagree with him.
It’s easy to poke fun at the big man going down, but just imagine if roles had been reversed?
