One of the most widely accepted views in football is that you have to be angry to be a goalkeeper.
In the name of justice, it is difficult to argue against this theory sometimes and they never show off their, erm, lively personalities more than when they have just lost an absolute clanger and they want to blame someone else.
You know what we mean. Take, for example, Peter Schmeichel. One of the best goalkeepers who has ever characterized the Premier League, but most people’s constant memory of him is that he runs out of his goal and goes completely mentally to his defense – usually for no apparent reason.
Rarely do you see a goalkeeper take full responsibility for their actions, but sometimes they do not really have any other choice.
Back in 2016, Sassuolo traveled to Fiorentina with both sides fighting for a place in Europe via their final position in Serie A.
Paulo Sousa’s side were endured a bit by a seasonal collapse that had failed to win a win in any of their previous eight excursions in all competitions, but with only two home losses in the league all season – against Rome-based pairing Lazio and Roma – the task before Eusebio Di Francesco’s side looked difficult.
Andrea Consigli had no one else to blame for his brawl against Fiorentina | Gabriele Maltinti / Getty Images
The guests made a good presentation for themselves and when ten minutes left was Josip Ilicic’s second half, it was what separated the two teams.
Di Francesco’s side were looking for a late equalizer to keep their European dreams alive, even if their football philosophy would not be abandoned and they would continue to play attractive fitting football from behind.
Yeahhhhh, if it …
Step forward Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli. I mean, he looks like a kind of shot stopper who thinks of himself with the ball at his feet; white boots, yellow gloves, perfectly trimmed beard, the only problem is that he temporarily forgot how to play football.
Standing just inside his own six-yard box under no pressure at all, the Italian tried to play a simple pass to the defense when he pushed himself to take a simple sweep from the right boot.
Andrea Consigli will never forget his mistake at Fiorentina | Gabriele Maltinti / Getty Images
It was the kind of pass you would want even a seven-year-old to be able to perform, but somehow Consigli managed to hook the ball back into his own goal! If he was not asked about any match after the match, there is absolutely no justice.
The unfortunate own goal lifted all hopes of a late Sassuolo comeback as Fiorentina continued to win the match 3-1, but the three points seemed almost irrelevant on the day.
The day belonged to Consigli. A technical genius who deserved all the praise that came his way after a real clinical show.
