Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav has drawn attention for an unusual piece of equipment: his shin guards are noticeably small. The football rules permit shin pads of this kind, but experts are warning that they could increase the risk of injury.
Within the rules, but not without doubts
The debate centres on a simple question: how much protection is enough? Undav’s choice shows that the regulations leave room for compact designs, yet specialists are sceptical that such minimal coverage offers the same safety as larger models. For a striker who regularly goes into challenges and duels in the box, the concern is not theoretical.
The episode is a reminder that players often balance comfort, mobility and protection when choosing their equipment. Smaller guards can feel lighter and less restrictive, but critics argue that the trade-off may come at the expense of defence against hard tackles.
Source: www.20min.ch
