Bruno was called “dumb” by former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. After conceding a penalty in the opening period of Thursday’s 2-1 (4-3 on aggregate) victory over Barcelona. Robert Lewandowski’s penalty just squeaked past David De Gea to open the scoring in the first half. The Portuguese maestro was ruled to have fouled Alejandro Balde inside the box.
Van Persie teases a Man Utd comeback following the Old Trafford “ego boost”. Balde attempted to turn in the United area inside the first 20 minutes, but Fernandes clashed with the Barcelona left-back and pulled the Spaniard down. Despite Erik ten Hag’s protests, VAR agreed with the on-field referee despite the hosts’ complaints, and the call stood.
Schmeichel was upset with Fernandes. And said the captain “owes the team” for making sure they lost a goal. He handed up a “stupid” penalty at a critical moment in the match.
“It looks like a penalty,” Schmeichel told BBC 5 Live on United vs Barcelona. “It is so stupid to pull a man down inside the penalty area in a situation where Alejandro Balde is going away from goal. David de Gea gets a full hand to it but only manages to put it off the post and it still goes in.”
“We are talking about big games, the one thing you have to eradicate is mistakes. Bruno Fernandes is still arguing, he needs to get a grip of himself, he has played a couple of sloppy passes. Now he has given away the penalty and he owes the team.”
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Lewandowski stumbled as he approached the penalty spot, and De Gea reached out to block his shot. Nevertheless, his fingertip was insufficient to stop the spot-kick from going into the goal, so De Gea was forced to watch. Schmeichel concurred with Owen Hargreaves that Fernandes’ challenge wasn’t necessary because Balde was moving away from the goal.
“No [Fernandes didn’t need to make contact with Balde],” Hargreaves told BT Sport. “I just think once he’s made contact sometimes it’s hard to let go, when you’re kind of holding onto someone. That was their first shot on target, the game was in the balance then so it completely changes it. Fair play to David, he almost saves it. Tries to delay it, Lewandowski’s giving him the eyes so tough start.”
There was little contact between Fernandes and Barcelona Balde. Paul Scholes, who was on the panel alongside Hargreaves, acknowledged that the referee made the right call.
“I think just about,” Scholes added.
“It doesn’t look like there’s much contact, but when you get touched on the arm like that it does send you off balance and that’s clearly what he’s done.”
“I don’t think the lad’s cheating one bit, I think it is just a little bit too much contact and you can understand why the referee has given it.”
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