Getafe’s Diego Rico accuses Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger of a deliberate, dangerous act of aggression during a heated La Liga match.

GETAFE defender Diego Rico has launched a scathing accusation against Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger.

Rico claims the German centre-back deliberately tried to “smash my face in” during Monday’s La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The incident occurred in the first half of the match, which Getafe won 1-0. Rudiger struck Rico in the head with his knee, sparking anger among the visiting players.

Rico told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope that he believed the act was intentional. He cited a previous foul and alleged verbal provocation from Rudiger just moments before.

“You can see how he practically moved his team-mate out of the way just to smash my face in,” Rico said. The Getafe left-back added that a mistimed connection could have left him “flat on the pitch”.

Despite the forceful contact, Rico was able to continue playing. He expressed frustration at what he perceived as a lack of severe punishment for Rudiger’s actions.

Rico claimed that if he had committed the same offence, he would have been “banned for 10 games”. He felt such a ban would have ruled him out for the rest of the season.

The defeat was Real Madrid’s second consecutive loss in La Liga. It left Carlo Ancelotti’s side four points behind leaders Barcelona.

Rudiger, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Tuesday, has a recent disciplinary record. The former Chelsea defender received a six-match ban last season for throwing an object at a referee.

 The Sun Malaysia