“Never went backwards”: Malcorra on claims after Independiente exit | OneFootball

On Sunday afternoon, Independiente were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Liga Profesional Apertura Tournament after losing 3-1 to Rosario Central at the Gigante de Arroyito. Amid the fans’ anger, one of the main targets was Ignacio Malcorra, an idol at Canalla, because of one particular play, and the midfielder himself responded on social media.

In the 23rd minute of the second half, with the match still tied 1-1, the 38-year-old player received a good through ball from Matías Abaldo inside the box and, almost in the six-yard area, tried to play a pass across for Gabriel Ávalos, but instead it came off as a soft little cross straight into goalkeeper Jeremías Ledesma’s hands.

In response to criticism from fans of the Avellaneda side, who accused him of doing it on purpose while recalling his recent past at Central, the player fired back: “Guys, you can call me useless, whatever you want... but say I’d ever play against my own team? NEVER. In my head it was always a pass to Gaby. When I go to hit it, it gets away from me and it comes out wrong. I was trying to blast it past the keeper,” he said.

“I chose to come to this huge club to win something... sorry for the result and for not being able to keep advancing”, Malcorra concluded in his statement. Since arriving at Independiente, he has played 16 matches, in which he scored one goal and provided three assists.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.