Arsenal were left without the Champions League trophy after being defeated by PSG on penalties in the grand final of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
The Parisians emerged victorious from the penalty shootout, while Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes became the most unlucky figures of the evening, after failing to convert from the penalty spot.
However, the biggest criticism fell on Eze, because of the way he executed his penalty.
The English star used a long, slow-paced run towards the ball, pausing moments before the shot in an attempt to fool the opposing goalkeeper. But the tactic was unsuccessful, as the PSG goalkeeper was not fooled and Eze’s shot ended up outside the goal.
After the match, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard harshly criticized the technique used by the Arsenal player.
“Penalties are hard enough as it is. Think about the importance of the game, the stadium and the atmosphere. Forget about that nonsense. It’s hard enough without it. Just kick the ball and trust your technique,” Gerrard told TNT Sports.
Owen Hargreaves also agreed with the former Liverpool captain’s criticism, saying he has never been a fan of this form of penalty execution.
“I’ve never liked that kind of execution. I think it actually creates more pressure. I prefer players who choose an angle and hit the ball with determination. When you start to hesitate, doubt can immediately enter your mind,” said Hargreaves.
Eze’s failure at the decisive moment of the final has sparked great debate in the sports community, while criticism from two former English football stars shows that the way penalties are taken continues to be a controversial topic in modern football.
