ANTONIO RUDIGER has been labelled “arrogant” after producing a bizarre run during Germany’s shock loss to Japan in their World Cup opener.
Hansi Flick’s men led 1-0 up until the 75th minute and were pressing for a second goal as Japanese keeper Shuichi Gonda was forced into several good saves.
With his side ahead, Rudiger was forced to chase a ball over the top and usher it out of play.
But he strangely decided to perform a wacky run while letting the ball run away.
It was something which drew the eye at the time, but looked somewhat embarrassing at full-time as Rudiger’s Germany conceded twice late on.
And the shock defeat has led former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Didi Hamann to slam Rudiger’s behaviour.
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He said: “Rudiger lifts up his legs and do you know. You don’t belittle the opposition [like that] because it always comes back at some stage.
“I think it was very unprofessional. I think it was out of order. Arrogant. He was having a laugh. There’s only one team having a laugh now.
“The spirit of the game is about respecting the opposition, respecting your opponent. And he didn’t do it.
“I’ve got no explanation or excuse for it.”
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Hamann also took aim at Flick’s decision not to include experienced Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels in his 26-man squad.
He added: “I’m not saying that one player makes all the difference, but I think the fact that he didn’t take Hummels.
“He takes Bella-Kotchap from Southampton, who’s a very good young player. He took another player from Leipzig, Klostermann, who hasn’t played for four months.
“And it just doesn’t make sense to me. I think it shows that he wants a quiet team. But a quiet team won’t win anything and I think it showed today.”
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Next up for Germany is a must-win game against Spain on Saturday evening.
Luis Enrique’s side kicked off their Group E campaign with a thumping 7-0 victory over Costa Rica.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
