Lehmann defends Rüdiger after outburst: "These are just emotions"
DFB defender Antonio Rüdiger has faced harsh criticism following the scandal at the Spanish Cup final. Former national goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, however, expressed understanding for Rüdiger's behavior and defended him.
Unlike other former internationals, Jens Lehmann defends Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger after his outburst in the Spanish Cup final. "He's become such a great player because of who he is," the former goalkeeper told TV channel Welt. "And if you try to take that out of him now, he might not be at his full potential anymore."
Lehmann further said that Rüdiger "did not show impeccable behavior there."
"But I think something like that is excusable; those are just emotions that get the better of someone from time to time." He can "say from personal experience that I was emotional myself."
Rudi Völler, the sporting director of the national football team, said of the incident: "That's not acceptable. Especially not as a German international. He has to change that, and he knows that himself , as his public reaction shows."
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