‘Never go backwards’: Ignacio Malcorra hit back after Independiente’s exit | OneFootball

On Sunday afternoon, Independiente were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Professional League’s Apertura Tournament after a 3-1 loss 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 square it for Gabriel Ávalos, but instead sent 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 because of his recent past at Central, the player fired back: “Guys, you can call me useless, whatever you want... but say I’d ever throw a game? NEVER. In my head it was always the pass to Gaby. When I go to hit it, it gets away from me and it comes out wrong. I was trying to take the goalkeeper’s head off,” he said.

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

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