Manchester United defender Vidic questions Chelsea striker Drogba's antics - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Manchester United defender Vidic questions Chelsea striker Drogba's antics

Nemanja Vidic has risked another backlash from Didier Drogba after he became the latest opponent to accuse the Chelsea striker of play-acting.

Drogba produced a match-winning performance in the Champions League semi-finals after he was fired up by comments from Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

It's a knockout: Vidic takes a knee to the head from Drogba

But this has not stopped Vidic raising further questions about his conduct ahead of Wednesday's final in Moscow.

"Sometimes he goes in very strong and sometimes he pretends he is weak. He plays with your mind and tries to make the defender think about the next tackle," Vidic said.

"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.

"He's a great player and he's a top scorer. It's a hard job to stop him."

Serbia defender Vidic 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 Barclays Premier League last month.

Vidic did admit the incident had made him consider adjusting his game and taking more precautions when he recommences battle with Drogba at the Luzhniki Stadium.

"I don't protect myself. I leave myself too open for players to kick me or hurt me," he told The Sunday Times.

"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."

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