On September 28, local time in the UK, Newcastle lost 1-2 to Arsenal at home in the 6th round of the Premier League this season, and Newcastle striker Walter Mad was interviewed after the game.
About this game
We led 1-0 for a long time today, but we lost two goals in a row at the end of the game. This feeling is definitely not good, yes, I feel particularly uncomfortable. I think we failed to relieve the pressure in front of our goal in the second half and have been defending passively. Many times, we should have taken the initiative to create some opportunities to ‘take a breath’ – such as getting rid of pressure by controlling the ball and transferring the ball to Arsenal’s half. We have to learn from this game because if you keep defending for 45 minutes or even 52 minutes in the second half, without even a decent offense chance, and finally get two goals through a corner kick by your opponent. This is really bad.
Regarding my goal in this game, we practiced similar tactical cooperation yesterday, and I knew the ball would pass near the near post. I was in a very good position at the time because I was at an arm's length with Gabriel so I could leaps up and steadily push the ball into it.
Regarding the conflict with opposing defender Gabriel after scoring the goal
I felt his elbow hit my face - his arm was lifted too high. I just told the referee that my face was touched. I thought it was unreasonable to have my face touched, but I am not the type of player who would fake it for this, which does not fit my style of playing football. Gabriel apologized to me later, so I felt like he knew he had touched my face. To be honest, I didn't worry about this.
Why don't you accept Gabriel's apology?
I don't like this situation - I made such an action in the game and said sorry a few seconds later, this is not what the game should be. I don't mind the fierce confrontation, but his elbow shouldn't have hit my face.