Aston Villa manager Unai Emery admits. He thought goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez would be sent off. During a penalty shootout in the Europa League match against Lille in the eighth round Europa Conference League final team in France.
“Singha Rising” who had previously won 2-1 in the first leg lost by this same score causing them to have to play in extra time. In the end, it stretched to a penalty shootout and won 4-3. Successfully advancing to the semi-finals.UFABET
From the start of the game, Martinez was heavily booed by the home fans. Which spread until the penalty shootout. This is a result of the 2022 World Cup finals. In which Martinez’s Argentina beat France and the famous goalkeeper’s behavior during the championship celebration caused dissatisfaction among fans of France.
Emery admits he thought Martinez, who had already received a yellow card during the game, would be sent off during the shootout after saving a penalty against Lille, but taunted the referee and had to warn him again. But he didn’t get fired. This is because yellow cards received during the match will not be counted towards the penalty shootout. As a result, this 31-year-old goalkeeper can stay on.
Emery told Birmingham Live:
“He is very important for us. He’s a personality in the dressing room. Which is very important because he is a leader with experience. He has very strong ideas.”
“On the field he showed his personality and played great. He saved two penalties. So of course I’m very proud of him. I am proud of all the players.”
“Yes (I thought he would be fired) but the rules are like that. Yesterday you (the media) asked me about the reception he would receive in France. Which you saw throughout the game.
“He has experience and tries to control his emotions. But the supporters put pressure on him. I believe in him. He always controlled himself.”