Four times keepers were subbed on for penalty shootouts and whether they paid off after Kepa’s Chelsea heroics
THOMAS TUCHEL pulled off a tactical masterclass in the Super Cup against Villarreal on Wednesday. The Champions League winners, Chelsea, and the Europa League winners, Villarreal, couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes of football. Hakim Ziyech’s first half strike was cancelled out by Gerard Moreno late on in the second half. The German coach substituted […]
THOMAS TUCHEL pulled off a tactical masterclass in the Super Cup against Villarreal on Wednesday.
The Champions League winners, Chelsea, and the Europa League winners, Villarreal, couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes of football.
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Hakim Ziyech’s first half strike was cancelled out by Gerard Moreno late on in the second half.
The German coach substituted Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for Kepa Arrizabalaga in the 119th minute for the penalty shootout.
Tuchel confirmed that substitution was planned, but who else has dared to make such a change on the eve on a penalty shootout and did it pay off?
Kepa Arrizabalaga vs. Villarreal
Kepa was deliberately brought on by boss Tuchel who described the tactical move as “not spontaneous”.
First team keeper Mendy was also aware and happy to step aside for the Spaniard.
Kepa saved two of Villarreal’s penalties, denying second spot-kick taker Aissa Mandi and deciding spot-kick taker Raul Albiol to win the Super Cup for Chelsea.
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After the game, Kepa said: “It’s not a typical situation but we arrived to penalties after Edouard did a fantastic job. Finally we won and we are so happy.
“I was ready because I knew this could happen. I tried to be ready mentally and physically.”
Team player Mendy also expressed his joy to BT Sport after the game.
He said: “I’m happy because we won. I knew since last year that if Kepa came on the pitch he would help the team.
“It’s a team effort. We play for Chelsea and for success. We did this today together.”
Boss Tuchel said the decision to make the switch was made based off save percentage data from the penalty spot, which Kepa was superior.
I was ready because I knew this could happen. I tried to be ready mentally and physically.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
The Blues boss added: “It was not spontaneous. We talked about it with the goalkeepers after the first cup game against Barnsley.
“We had some statistics. We were well prepared.
“Kepa has the best percentage at saving penalties, the analysing guys and goalkeeping coaches showed me the data.
“We spoke to the players that this could happen when we play in knockout games. It’s fantastic how Edouard accepted it.
“There is proof that Kepa is better in this discipline. They’re team players. Edouard does not show the pride to not step off the field.
“He was happy to do it for the team and take this for the team.”
Tim Krul vs. Costa Rica
Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal made a bold call in the quarter-finals of the 2014 Brazil World Cup against Costa Rica.
The surprise quarter-finalists managed to drag the 2010 World Cup finalists, the Netherlands, to penalties.
But boss Van Gaal had a trick up his sleeve, and he substituted goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, for at the time Newcastle’s Tim Krul minutes before the spot-kicks.
Krul saved Costa Rica’s second penalty taken by Bryan Ruiz.
And saved Michael Umana’s deciding fifth penalty to send the Netherlands through to the semi-finals to face Argentina.
After the game, Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand was buzzing to see soon-to-be United boss Van Gaal’s tactical masterclass.
He said: “Manchester United fans will be buzzing to see Louis van Gaal making big decisions like that and them coming off.
“They will be thinking, ‘what a manager we have got coming in’. I would have thought Jasper Cillessen knew before the game that he would be taken off for a penalty shootout.
“His reaction to Tim Krul’s saves shows you the spirit in that squad – it was all about the team going through and he knows he will start the next game.”
Dele Aiyenugba vs. Etoile Sahel
Back in 2004, the African Champions League final between Enyimba FC of Nigeria and Tunisian side Etoile Sahel went to penalties.
The two-legged affair finished 3-3 and Enyimba opted to switch goalkeepers, subbing off Vincent Enyeama – best known for his time at French club Lille – for Dele Aiyenugba.
Aiyenugba saved Ben Frej’s effort to win Enyimba the penalty shootout and helped retain their African Champions League crown.
Pietro Spinosa vs. Ascoli
Back in 1996, Abruzzo-based Castel di Sangro played Ascoli in a play-off final to reach the Serie B.
The game was tied at 0-0, and with a minute to go, the Castel di Sangro coach Osvaldo Jaconi took off the keeper that had played every minute of the season so far.
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And replaced him with a 34-year-old reserve, Pietro Spinosa. Big call.
After 12 spot-kicks, the game was level at 5-5. Castel di Sangro scored and then substitute Spinosa saved the deciding penalty to send the club up to the Serie B.
That game to this day is referred to as ‘di miracolo in miracolo’ by the Italian press.
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