A year and a half later, are you just starting to recover from Emiliano Martinez’s incredible save against Randal Kolo Muani in the World Cup final in Qatar? We do not recommend viewing the summary of the quarter-final first leg of the Europa Conference League between Aston Villa and Losc (2-1), played Thursday evening in England. And yes, because the fantastic Argentine goalkeeper has once again caused misfortune to French football.
If Paulo Fonseca’s players will attack the return leg next Thursday with a one-goal deficit to make up for, it is partly the fault of our biggest nightmare of December 18, 2022. Led by Unai Emery, the fifth in the Premier League has led by two goals thanks to Ollie Watkins (13th) and John McGinn (56th).
Zhegrova, Diakité and David all unhappy in front of him
But make no mistake, Losc existed during this first hour of play, and the best Villan/villain on Thursday evening was indeed dear Emiliano Martinez. Public enemy number one of French sport since the Albiceleste’s triumph in Qatar against the Blues (3-3, 4-2 on penalties), he has long disgusted everyone on the northern side.
His duels won against Edon Zhegrova (24th), Bafodé Diakité (31st) and Jonathan David (42nd), as well as other decisive saves after the break weighed heavily in this very close European meeting. “Emiliano was fantastic, he saved the day,” Unai Emery could savor after this C4 quarter-final first leg.
“If we are more frank, it doesn’t disgust anyone”
“He made good saves, but it’s up to us to be more frank in front of goal, because if we do, he doesn’t disgust anyone,” regretted Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. If Gabriel Gudmundsson’s goal was disallowed for offside (63rd), Bafodé Diakité managed to deceive Emiliano Martinez and maintain hope for a qualification in the last four (2-1, 84th).
Sharp to head a corner from joker Rémy Cabella to the near post, the 23-year-old central defender also rewarded us with a statement targeting the Aston Villa goalkeeper. “I managed to score, I avenged the French a little,” he laughed. Almost Bafodé, almost.