Kepa Arrizabalaga is slammed for 'poor error' for Marco Asensio's goal
Kepa Arrizabalaga is slammed for ‘poor error’ to concede Marco Asensio’s goal, as Chris Sutton claims Real Madrid No 1 Thibaut Courtois ‘would have saved it’ and Joe Cole questions Chelsea keeper’s ability to deliver in the ‘big moments’
- Asensio scored Real Madrid’s second goal of their 2-0 win over Chelsea
- The finish concluded a well-worked corner routine from Madrid in the game
- Kepa got a hand to the effort but failed to save as Chelsea were dominated
Kepa Arrizabalaga has been criticised for his role in Real Madrid’s second goal against Chelsea.
The Blues fell to a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash, giving themselves a huge uphill task to reach the semis.
Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the first half after Kepa had palmed a shot into the Frenchman’s path, whilst Ben Chilwell saw red in the second period.
Marco Asensio then wrapped up the game with a fine effort from the edge of the box on 74 minutes.
Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton slammed Kepa for his role in Asensio’s goal, insisting that his performance wasn’t good enough for the level of competition.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has been criticised for his role in Real Madrid’s second goal against Chelsea
Marco Asensio slotted in after well-worked corner routine from Madrid in the second half
Kepa got a hand to his fellow countryman’s effort but failed to keep the strike out
‘The second goal, I’ve got to say, Kepa has to do much better in my view,’ he said. ‘It’s a poor error at this level.
‘I think at this level your goalkeeper has to save that. He’s got enough of a hand on that ball to keep it out.
‘If Thibaut Courtois was in the Chelsea goal he would have saved that.
‘That was a huge moment because if Chelsea only lost 1-0 it would have been a far easier task (in the second leg).’
Kepa was compared to Thibaut Coutrois, who has proved to be one of the best goalkeepers around
Chris Sutton slammed Kepa for his efforts and insisted he can’t make the mistakes at the level
Chelsea found themselves sleeping for the strike, with a quick corner finding its way to Asensio on the edge of the Chelsea box.
He shot first time, with the ball going through Wesley Fofana’s legs. Kepa managed to get a hand on the effort, but could only palm it onto the post and in.
Former Chelsea man Joe Cole, speaking on BT Sport, also referenced Madrid goalkeeper Courtois as he criticised Kepa’s mistake.
Joe Cole echoed Sutton’s views, claiming that Chelsea want to protect their goalkeeper
‘Without being overcritical… I think they want to protect Kepa and get round him,’ Cole said. ‘Whereas a top goalkeeper in those big moments, like Courtois, that’s what you pay the money for.
‘He’s a big presence telling people what to do. Your ‘keeper alongside your centre-half – Thiago Silva’s 38, he’s on his knees. That’s when you need Kepa to go, “Right you go there, you go there”. That’s what it is at this level.’
Chelsea paid £71.6million for Kepa back in 2018 but he’s struggled for consistency and has found himself in and out of the Chelsea team.
Many had suggested manager Frank Lampard may bring Edouard Mendy back into the Blues starting line-up, but that’s yet to happen.
Source: Read Full Article