Vidic accuses Drogba over diving

[middleoftheshed 388]

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has turned up the heat ahead of the Champions League final by accusing Chelsea's Didier Drogba of play-acting.

"Sometimes he goes in very strong, and sometimes he pretends he is very weak," Vidic said ahead of Wednesday's final.

"He plays with your mind and tries to make you think about the next tackle."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez claimed he had a dossier on the Ivorian's "diving" before their semi-final last month. It provoked Drogba into producing a match-winning performance in the Champions League semi-finals following Benitez's comments.

And while Vidic expressed his respect for Drogba's abilities, the centre-back warned that Wednesday's referee will need to pay close attention to his antics.

He told the Sunday Times: "He can pretend he fell down to win a penalty, but referees know that. The Champions League final is a big game and I'm sure the ref will know his job."

Striker Wayne Rooney also risked a Drogba backlash by calling his temperament into question.

"Sometimes he seems as if his head's not quite there," Rooney said.

"But when he's at his best, he's an unbelievable player. He's big, strong, he scores goals - left foot, right foot, headers - at times he is unplayable."

Vidic, meanwhile, refused to blame Drogba for an incident which saw him leave the field with concussion after the striker's knee hit him the head in the Premier League last month. "I don't protect myself. I leave myself too open for players to kick me or hurt me.

"I'm not saying they want to - it just happens - but maybe I need to work on my protection. I want to win the ball and don't care how and maybe because of that I get hurt.

"Everyone puts me among the hardest players, and says forwards when they play me need to protect themselves, but that's not true. "I don't try to hurt people and I don't want to go around saying I'm tough. I go in aggressive, yes, and try to win every ball, but I'm not anything special."

BBC Sport

Rafa-esque.

Keep it coming! :thumbsup:

[bombayblue™ 55]

may be he has another appointment with the dentist lined up and wants to utilise it to the fullest..

Edited May 18, 2008 by bombayblue™

[chrismada9 1,948]

Piss off Vidic!!...

...and Shrek

just think, no-one's a better submarine commando than Ronaldo

[Badboy 1,526]

Yeah as if he can talk being a team mate of ronaldo what a fucking wank face.

[pablo814 1]

what a lil bitch!

[Laylabelle 9,293]

Rooney talking about Drogbas temper?!

And what about Ronaldos diving.Though the refs dont usually know that and give a penatly...

[Badboy 1,526]

Rooney talking about Drogbas temper?!

Hahahaha yeah as if rooney can talk !

[Fulham Broadway 16,382]

Rooney saying Drogba loses it ? HA HA HA!! Who said irony is dead. Red Faced Pikey has a tantrum every game.

Anyway I thought ManUtd 'only talk about ManUtd' ? Vidic, Drogba is going to make you look (more) foolish now.