CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel was shown a yellow card during the Super Cup after arguing about a challenge made by Antonio Rudiger.
The 28-year-old produced a crunching tackle to take both the ball and Villarreal winger Yeremi Pino during the first half of the European tie.
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Rudiger was shown a yellow for the incident, much to the dismay of Tuchel.
And the official Sergey Karasev was having none of it as he marched over to book the German coach for his remonstrating.
But Rio Ferdinand, who was working on the game as a pundit for BT Sport, felt there was nothing wrong with Rudiger’s challenge.
He said: “This was a really, really great tackle in my book, in my era. But in today’s game, he gets a yellow card.”
And Joe Cole also had an issue with the German defender being penalised for the tackle.
He added: “If I was Pino, I’d have expected the centre-half to clean me out. But nowadays football is very civil.”
Those reacting on social media also agreed that the Rudiger challenge was a perfect example of good defending.
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One person said: “That was an incredible challenge but Rudiger. Games gone if that was a yellow. Thomas Tuchel backing it as well. My manager.”
And another added: “Antonio Rüdiger getting a yellow card for that challenge is ridiculous, hard but fair tackle and wins the ball.
“It’s as clean as a tackle as you’ll see.”
Chelsea went on to win the Super Cup after extra-time and a penalty shootout – with Kepa the surprise hero.
Tuchel made the bold decision to sub Kepa on right at the end of the extra period just for the spot-kicks.
And his gambit worked as Kepa, who famously REFUSED to come off for penalties during the 2019 League Cup final, saved twice as Chelsea won.
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