Someone had reckoned without the innkeeper. Shortly before the end of the regular season of the UEFA Supercup against Manchester City (4:5 penalties), Sevilla coach Mendilibar brought on Rafa Mir and Suso. Since there was no overtime, the intention behind it was pretty obvious. The two were intended as shooters for the penalty shoot-out.
Rafa Mir lived up to his responsibilities, converting the second penalty – but Suso was not awaited. After all players on both sides had converted safely, defender Gudelj had to play as the fifth shooter and shot the crossbar. Nothing came of the second Supercup victory after 2006 for the Andalusians.
Mendilibar does not pronounce Suso’s name
Mendilibar didn’t blame Gudelj. “Only those who compete can fail,” said the 62-year-old, “you have to thank them for their commitment.” Rather, Mendilibar himself “made a mistake” by substituting offensive power Erik Lamela. “If he had stayed to the end he would have gotten a penalty. I thought that whoever went in could take it too.”
Attacker Suso obviously did not raise his hand when the shooters were searched. However, when Mendilibar was directly asked about it, he avoided naming the Argentine. “I won’t say anything else about that.”
