Spurs won their third Europa League game tonight with a tight 1-0 scoreline against AZ Alkmaar, and it was all thanks to a Richarlison penalty. Speaking after the game, James Maddison explained why he let his teammate take the spot-kick.
Richarlison and Maddison argue over penalty
With AZ Alkmaar organising themselves well defensively, it was always going to be difficult for Spurs to find a breakthrough, but they got their goal via a penalty kick in the end.
With the ball bouncing in the box, Lucas Bergvall attempted a shot but had his legs taken away from him and the spot-kick was awarded to Spurs.
James Maddison was the designated penalty-taker for the night as captain, but a heated discussion broke out between the playmaker and his teammate, Richarlison, as to who would take the kick.
While at first it seemed Maddison had put the matter to bed, the 27-year-old then changed his mind, and handed the ball to Richarlison instead.
Thankfully, the Spurs striker put the spot-kick away with a composed and cool finish, getting a goal that will do him a world of good moving forward.
Richarlison needed the goal
So, why did Maddison offer the penalty to Richarlison in the end? Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, the Tottenham vice-captain explained his decision.
He said: “Initially we both wanted to take it. I’m a senior player, I was captain today, I was going to take it, but I thought Richarlison has come back from an injury, it’s difficult for a striker – a first goal gives confidence.
“It was a split-second decision to let him take it. [It’s] leadership, obviously I wore the armband but even if I wasn’t the captain I would still like to think I would make a decision that is best for the team. Hopefully, that gives him a big boost.”
Unnecessary pressure from the spot
I hate to see these situations where teammates argue over who will take a penalty. That job is determined before a game and it should stay that way. By arguing over it, the eventual spot-kick taker has so much more pressure on his shoulders, and it’s just not necessary at all.