Football: Balotelli says thanks after penalty goal

20 febbraio 2015

2 min di lettura

(AGI) Liverpool, Feb 20 - Liverpool striker Mario Balotellitook to social media to express his thanks to his team after apenalty incident and a kick that decided the match. He said onInstagram and Twitter: "Thank you 'hendo' [acting captain] forlet me take the penalty. Stop drama now. We won, that's whatcounts. We are a team, and especially we are Liverpool. Come onguys." The former Inter and Milan striker took the penalty onThursday, which decided the outcome of the Europa League matchagainst Besiktas. He scored after a short exchange of wordswith acting captain Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge onwho should take the penalty. It would have been Henderson butBalotelli took it, and with good reason, said Sturridge. He hadalso wanted to take it, but Balotelli felt he was on a winningstreak and had taken many successful penalty kicks before. Hehad appeared unwilling to pass up the shot, but said he hadfaith in Balotelli and it went well. Steven Gerrard, teamcaptain, said in his TV commentary Henderson should have takenthe penalty. "Rules are rules and they should've been adheredto. Jordan is the captain and Mario showed Jordan a bit ofdisrespect there, but he's scored a very important goal."Manager Brendan Rodgers tried to dodge the question bystressing that Liverpool had won 1-0 and it "was the perfectresult". He said hewas lucky to have several incredible penaltyshooters on the team like Henderson, Balotelli and RickieLambert. Balotelli posted a photo of himself hugging Hendersonon Instagram, with the message: "Thank all of you supporters.Thanks with all my heart. You are great. Now let's think aboutSunday's match." (AGI) . .