Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has apologised to Benjamin Pavard after the Germany defender’s studs left painful-looking marks on the France full-back’s neck in Thursday’s UEFA Nations League clash.
Rudiger’s boot left Benjamin Pavard with some unpleasant marks on his neck, which the Frenchman called “really painful”. The Frenchman has insisted it was not deliberate and has wished Pavard a swift recovery.
“Sorry for Benjamin Pavard, it wasn’t intentional,” Rudiger tweeted on Friday. I have apologised to him right after it happened and I also want to use this opportunity to wish him a speedy recovery! Pavard did not accuse the centre-back of anything malicious and claimed the incident was merely part of the game.
“It’s really painful, but it’s part of football,” said the Stuttgart man. “Honestly, I don’t know if he did it intentionally. I haven’t seen the replay yet. All I can say is that it’s part of football.”
There were no goals scored on Thursday, although French debutant Alphonse Areola made a string of good late saves to deny Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller and Matthias Ginter.
