Jeered by Lille supporters throughout the quarter-final of the Europa Conference League, the goalkeeper of Aston Villa and Argentina, Emiliano Martinez, did not hold a grudge against the French public after the match.
“It was my destiny to win here.” Emiliano Martinez has become the nightmare of the French. After disgusting the French team in the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Argentine world champion played his first match in France since the title won by the Albiceleste. Like two years ago, the Aston Villa goalkeeper was the savior and hero of his team during the penalty shootout (4-3) thanks to two saves against Bentaleb and André. Exit Lille despite a great 2-1 victory Thursday in the quarter-final second leg of the Europa Conference League. The whistles from the Lille public each time the ball was taken did not destabilize the provocative Argentine any more.
“The yellow card? I didn’t understand the rule”
“I spent all my years at Arsenal and Aston Villa with French players. They are very good people, I love them. When you play at a high level like in France, it’s normal that you expect yourself get beaten up. But I focused on my team, on my country, and all I do is play for this football club.”
“Dibu” Martinez also returned to the yellow card he received during the penalty shootout. A second warning which was not synonymous with expulsion, the regulations stipulating that the counters are reset to zero during a session. “There was no ball in the penalty area, I asked a ball boy for one and I took a card. I didn’t understand the rule,” admitted the Argentinian.