Media Watch
BRAVO: THIS WAS A VERY SPECIAL GAME
Thu 29 Jun 2017, 8:11 AM
SUPER STOP: Claudio Bravo denies Ricardo Quaresma from the penalty spot
SUPER STOP: Claudio Bravo denies Ricardo Quaresma from the penalty spot
Wednesday 28 June 2017… it’s a date Claudio Bravo will never forget.
It was the night he sent Chile through to the Confederations Cup final, saving three Portugal penalties in a penalty shoot-out to achieve instant hero status.
With the game ending 0-0 after extra time, the shot-stopper denied Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani, as Chile triumphed 3-0.
Read... Bravo heroics put Chile into final
Unsurprisingly, the goalkeeper’s remarkable feat is the talk of the media – and deservedly so.
Bravo himself has spoken of a special night but as ever, remained humble.
Quoted in the Mirror, he reflected: "I feel as I always do. I'm a very balanced person.
"I WAS INJURED AND DIDN'T PLAY AT MY NORMAL PACE BUT I NORMALLY TAKE THINGS CALMLY AND THIS WAS A VERY SPECIAL GAME FOR US.
“We were able to reach the final which is very important for us. We're completing a very successful cycle. We're happy to play in the final."
Many deem penalty shoot-outs to be simply a game of luck, but Bravo is not of that opinion.
"I don't think it's only chance," he added. “I think you need to work a lot. You need to study your opponent.
“I think we played with our heads. We were quite tired at the end but playing with our heads as well as our hearts.
"I knew what I had to do. Of course, we're very happy because we've been able to stop the European champions.
"Portugal had many chances to score. I think the game was quite balanced. Both teams showed great respect for the other.
"The secret, I think, is that we never stop believing in ourselves and we want to do everything we can to win. We still have one more game to win."
As you can imagine, Chile boss Juan Antonio Pizzi heaped praise on his goalkeeper.
He told press: "Fortunately, Claudio was amazing in the penalty shootout, the players who scored were amazing and I think we deserve to be in the final.
"It's true that luck is involved in taking penalties, but I wouldn't say it's only about luck. You can prepare and you can study and you can improve your chances.
"[BRAVO] HAD ANALYSED HIS OPPONENTS VERY WELL. THOSE WHO TAKE PENALTIES CAN BE STUDIED BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THEM WITH THEIR COUNTRY AND THEIR CLUB.
“Claudio was prepared: he was able to predict what was going to happen. And he had the personality and mental strength to make it count.
"Nobody wants to be in that situation. You never know what is going to happen, but when Claudio was able to stop the first effort and Arturo scored, we calmed down a little.
"I'm very proud of this team and the players are very proud to represent Chile in every single tournament. We are very humbled by the big responsibility we carry."
Congratulations, Claudio!
In other news, as usual there’s some transfer speculation to ponder over as the Telegraph believe City are the front runners to sign Alexis Sanchez, after Bayern Munich apparently withdrew their interest.
An article reads: “Sanchez wants in excess of £350,000-a-week to leave the Gunners, who will ask for around £50 million for the forward who helped Chile book their place in the Confederations Cup last night.
“Sanchez's contract runs out in 12 months, but the big-money wages being spoken about appear to have cooled Bayern's interest in the forward."
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig midfielder and alleged Liverpool target Naby Keita has spoken of his desire to join City, Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Charles Perrin of the Express claims: “Recent reports suggested the Bundesliga outfit are demanding in excess of £70million for the 22-year-old.
“Having got a solid season under his belt, Keita has set his sights higher and is ready to challenge himself abroad."
When asked of his options, Keita told German newspaper Die Welt: “I hope, however, that I have the level in two, three years and could play for one of the very big clubs.
“This includes Barcelona, but it also includes Real Madrid or Manchester City."
Thursday gossip
posted on 29/6/17
comment by LQ (U6305)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by bomdia (U13941)
posted 3 minutes ago
I prefer the Sanchez on a free option next summer, but not at those wages.
I'm sure Keita's comment has gone down well in Salford, and Surbiton.
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If we signed an agreement in January even it would be quality, can you imagine Arsenal fans Tv, I would tell the player stay out mate and just wait 1 season.
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If City were to wait until next season, they might not get the best of him.
He'll turn 29 by the end of this year and althoug he is currently at his peak, we are talking about a player whom had only 1 month break (without competitve football) since he joined us.
Sooner or later, this will catch up with him and I'm sure evn him knows it hence why he wants one last big paycheck.
posted on 29/6/17
If we get him on a free he can get better money and still play a part in a decent attacking football team.
And we can save ourselves 50 million quid, good business if we wait.
I would also tell Spurs not interested in walker at that price and move on.
posted on 29/6/17
comment by LQ (U6305)
posted 33 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
posted 4 minutes ago
"I'm sure Keita's comment has gone down well in Salford, and Surbiton."
Especially considering it's regurgitated from last year.
The rags ey? Nice that you believe them and have a running article everyday. Ignorance is bliss of course.
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Does when it was said make any difference?
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Of course, if I were playing for Leipzig if asked the question I would say I would like to play in Spain with Madrid or Barca, one day and if in England, City, where pay is best and a lot of young players are being bought for high fees.
If however it came to pass that I played so well, in that very season that a club like Liverpool were interested in me, I'd be less inclined to make the aforementioned comment.
Context ey? You don't get that from a newspaper. Sensationalist, regurgitated nonsense is what you get. Look through your daily articles for examples.
He would be a good replacement for Toure however.
Sanchez on the otherhand would be good for a few seasons but he's nearly 30 and you've bought some young players, who need games. It would be a bad move at the price quoted.
posted on 29/6/17
, regurgitated nonsense is what you get. Look through your daily articles for example
Of course it's regurgitated it's off the official websites media section, not everyone reads the papers but might like to see what's being said about their club.
It says gossip in the title.
Maybe the player just likes city more than Liverpool, you talk about context but it's a fictitious context that suits you rather than a quote from a player who actually might have meant what he said.
No need to get bent out of shape.
posted on 29/6/17
Just don't see Sanchez as needed, with the options in midfield/wing including Silva x2, KDB, Sane, Sterling, Gundogan, Toure, Fernandinho, Toure, Delph, Garcia, and (at the moment at least) Fernando, and up front Kun and Jesus. I just don't see the need, as great a player as he is, our needs are elsewhere. This also assumes that Nolito, Mangala, Itchy and Nasri are gone which isn't yet done.
Tell Spurs to shove it and find another RB, get a LB and maybe a CB and start the pre season from there.
posted on 29/6/17
Don't forget Wilfried either Bomdia. Not a huge list of clubs lining up to sign him, what a disaster signing that turned out to be.
posted on 29/6/17
god , yes, I think my memory has a blank spot where he used to be. Clearly a case of horses for courses, couldn't get the ball out from under his feet, suited to a team where he can run on to long balls rather than play balls into his feet. Slap a huge price tag on him and sell him down the road, he would be suited to them and their 9 at the back 1 up front type of game.
posted on 29/6/17
comment by LQ (U6305)
posted 26 minutes ago
, regurgitated nonsense is what you get. Look through your daily articles for example
Of course it's regurgitated it's off the official websites media section, not everyone reads the papers but might like to see what's being said about their club.
It says gossip in the title.
Maybe the player just likes city more than Liverpool, you talk about context but it's a fictitious context that suits you rather than a quote from a player who actually might have meant what he said.
No need to get bent out of shape.
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Of course he would rather play for City. That wasn't my point. My point was that this comment was made in the past before he was linked to Liverpool and he wouldn't make that comment now knowing the link, unless of course, City were in for him.
posted on 29/6/17
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
posted 57 minutes ago
comment by LQ (U6305)
posted 26 minutes ago
, regurgitated nonsense is what you get. Look through your daily articles for example
Of course it's regurgitated it's off the official websites media section, not everyone reads the papers but might like to see what's being said about their club.
It says gossip in the title.
Maybe the player just likes city more than Liverpool, you talk about context but it's a fictitious context that suits you rather than a quote from a player who actually might have meant what he said.
No need to get bent out of shape.
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Of course he would rather play for City. That wasn't my point. My point was that this comment was made in the past before he was linked to Liverpool and he wouldn't make that comment now knowing the link, unless of course, City were in for him.
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👍
posted on 29/6/17
comment by Komakino (U7809)
posted 4 hours, 12 minutes ago
Don't forget Wilfried either Bomdia. Not a huge list of clubs lining up to sign him, what a disaster signing that turned out to be.
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Even more of a disaster if reports that Pellegrini turned down Dybala in preference to Wilfred are true!