Chelsea midfielder Jorginho admits the red card for Fikayo Tomori was harsh and ‘facilitated everything’ against Milan, then outlines how he keeps finding the strength to take big penalties.
The game never really got off the ground because of a very early and rather harsh decision, as Tomori was sent off and a penalty awarded for his slight touch on Mason Mount’s shoulder just 18 minutes in.
Jorginho converted the penalty and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang later turned in a Mount slide-rule pass.
“I think it was a penalty. Maybe not a red card, but yes a penalty,” laughed Jorginho after hearing Alessandro Del Piero and other pundits all say it was not even a spot-kick.
“Obviously, it’s a different game when you are a goal up and against 10 men, it facilitates everything. This time it was us who were facilitated, it’s an important victory for us.”
The group remains wide open, though, as only three points separate top from bottom.
“These two games were very different. Our first half at Stamford Bridge was very strong, and here when you go a man and goal down after 20 minutes, it’s hard to make comparisons. We did well to make the most of the advantage and also in my view allowed situations we should not have allowed.
“Details make the difference at this level. It was evidence of that tonight, half a chance can change a game and therefore the result and the rest of the competition.
“I think Milan are growing, they are better than last season, they created problems for us tonight and we ran risks that we could’ve avoided.”
Jorginho missed two penalties that effectively cost Italy qualification for the 2022 World Cup, so where does he find the strength to keep stepping up there and taking those kicks?
“I believe in myself and what I’ve always done, in what I will continue to do. There will always be mistakes, but if we don’t learn from the mistakes, that’s twice as bad. I always try to learn from my mistakes.”
Napoli are dominating in Serie A and the Champions League now, so is the former Partenopei midfielder worried about the prospect of facing them in future?
“I am not surprised, they are doing really well, I am very happy for them. We don’t fear Napoli, but have great respect for them. If you fear any opponent, you’ll never win anything.”
Of course he would score THIS penalty, blew 3 of his last crucial penalties for Italy.
It was a penalty. So was the challenge on Cuadrado at Maccabi. However, it wasn’t a red card. Way to harsh!