There has been some confusion regarding why Santiago Gimenez took the penalty during AC Milan’s defeat against Napoli last night.
Napoli ended up winning the game 2-1 after two first-half goals from Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku put them in command, rendering Luka Jovic’s late goal just a consolation And yet, it could have been very different.
Milan were given a colossal opportunity to get back into the game in the 67th minute, when Theo Hernandez was brought down in the area by the new entrant Billing. A penalty was immediately awarded, then missed by Gimenez. But what happened before the penalty?
It must be noted that the designated penalty taker is Christian Pulisic, but DAZN (via Calciomercato.com) reported that it was the American – together with Leao, who immediately went to recover the ball after the decision – who gave the spot kick to the Mexico international.
It is, therefore, unlike what happened in the Fiorentina away game. In that instance, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham were protagonists as the defender gave the ball to his compatriot, with Pulisic a bystander.
In this case there was no discussion, but a conscious choice by the two forwards. After the missed penalty, Fofana immediately went to console his team-mate, who has now gone a month and a half without scoring.
Love Pulisic but he looks very weak for giving the penalty to Gimenez. Hes a nice guy but we need ruthlessness from him. Either he was being too “nice” or he was lacking confidence to take the penalty. Neither are good.
Why does he need to be ruthless? It’s a teamsport where everyone’s effort is needed. And we needed the goals and confidence from our #1 striker.
Santi needed the confidence, but its too late in the year to be playing those games. Pulisic needs to take the shot if he is that guy.
Not in a game like this. Pulisic will never be a word class player until he solves his issue and he knows what. He said it himself a few weeks ago.
Just score the penalty, top corner. WHY DO THEY TELL PLAYERS TO KICK LOW??
Oh, kick low cause its harder for a keeper to get down? No, Thats BS, Gravity is real thing, and helps go down. Jumping up is always harder.
shooting top corner is a risky move aswell there is a decent chance at the ball getting up to the fans shooting or chipping in the middle would be the best choice, yes if the keeper would go there it would be a saved shot but 90% out of the time keepers do dive to left or right
The easiest thing in a penalty is to watch where the GK is going and place the ball to somewhere else. Even now you could clearly see where Meret was going but Santi only looked at the ball. Amateur.
When are we throwing concecao out?
Come on kick out Conceicao, Recruit De Zerbi or Ten Hag.
ten hag ? nice joke
It was a team-building opportunity and a nice thought.
And a crap PK/easy save.
At the end of the day Pulisic blew it since it was his call.
“At the end of the day Pulisic blew it since it was his call.”
How to say one has never played teamsports without saying one has never played teamsports.