Siddharth Juyal
Former Sweden footballer Kim Kallstrom chastised Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho for his “childish” behaviour before FC Copenhagen’s penalty kick.
Former Sweden footballer Kim Kallstrom lambasted Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho for his actions before FC Copenhagen’s penalty kick. He caught the 19-year-old destroying the penalty spot by scraping and stomping at the area to make it uneven.
United keeper Andre Onana saved the penalty-kick taken by the Danish club’s striker Jordan Larsson. We can only speculate how much impact Garnacho’s antics may have caused but the act has received heavy criticism.
The Red Devils won their first Champions League Group A fixture 1-0 against Copenhagen to climb to third position. Harry Maguire gave a second-half lead which came under serious threat after Scott McTominay gave away a last-minute penalty. Onana’s heroic save made sure that Maguire’s goal was the winner in favour of the home team.
Kallstrom told TV4’s Champions League coverage (h/t Tipsbladet) that Garnacho’s behaviour was immoral and childish. He said:
“What an ugly type. It’s so childish. It’s a baby level, that. I understand that players want to win at all costs, but there has to be some kind of morality somewhere”
The Argentina international came on as a substitute for Antony in the 63rd Minute of the game. United manager Erik ten Hag used Garnacho as an impact substitute to exploit the tiredness of opposition and open spaces.
The 19-year-old had a moment where he could’ve double the Red Devils lead when Bruno Fernandes implemented a counter-attack. The perfectly weighted through ball from the United captain unleashed Garnacho in a one-on-one situation against Copenhagen’s goalkeeper.
However, a poor touch from the Argentinian gave the Danish club’s goalkeeper Kamil Grabara a chance to collect the ball.
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We think that many have resorted to the unethical practice of disturbing the penalty spot before the opposition’s penalty kick. However, Garnacho took it a bit too far by stomping on the area to make it uneven. The act could’ve injured the penalty kick-taker which is something that should be unacceptable in football regardless of our bias.
The 19-year-old was lucky to survive serious disciplinary action for his poor unsportsmanlike conduct. Garnacho needs to become more clinical and composed and contribute to the team on the other side of the pitch. If he had scored the clear-cut chance he had, he would not need to resort to such activity.
