- Jan 15, 2017
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To answer the question about whether we should "expect" forward players to do what Mane did - think of it this way:
You're a defender playing in a big game - the opposition forward gets played through on goal behind the defence and is one-on-one with the keeper. You're sprinting after him. You can go for the tackle from behind and try to stop what is otherwise a certain goal, but it's a big risk as if you mis-time it and bring him down, it's a penalty to the opposition and you're off. You may or may not take that risk depending on what the score is and how far through the game you are, but regardless of whether you are successful or not you know that your fans will berate you if you do nothing and yet you will be off if you get it wrong. It's a tough call to make, but top level sports careers are defined on these sorts of moments.
Mane was at the other end of the pitch. He took the risk. If he'd got it right he'd have an open goal and would have equalised at a crucial point of a big game. But he got it wrong. He jump kicked an opposition player in the face at head height. I'm not one of these "he should be done for attempted murder" types, but there is no absolutely reason whatsoever for him to stay on the pitch after that. End of discussion.
You're a defender playing in a big game - the opposition forward gets played through on goal behind the defence and is one-on-one with the keeper. You're sprinting after him. You can go for the tackle from behind and try to stop what is otherwise a certain goal, but it's a big risk as if you mis-time it and bring him down, it's a penalty to the opposition and you're off. You may or may not take that risk depending on what the score is and how far through the game you are, but regardless of whether you are successful or not you know that your fans will berate you if you do nothing and yet you will be off if you get it wrong. It's a tough call to make, but top level sports careers are defined on these sorts of moments.
Mane was at the other end of the pitch. He took the risk. If he'd got it right he'd have an open goal and would have equalised at a crucial point of a big game. But he got it wrong. He jump kicked an opposition player in the face at head height. I'm not one of these "he should be done for attempted murder" types, but there is no absolutely reason whatsoever for him to stay on the pitch after that. End of discussion.