-zuco-
24-05-2008, 02:40 AM
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has acquitted
Didier Drogba after the Chelsea striker’s brain-fade on
Wednesday night, insisting his reaction was understandable…
The Ivorian was sent off by referee Lubos Michel after he
slapped Vidic amid a heated coming together of the two
sides during the Champions League final.
The row occurred when, following an injury stoppage, United
forward Carlos Tevez returned possession to Chelsea via the
touchline rather than directly passing back to Blues keeper Petr Cech.
Vidic claimed he was protecting his team-mate when Drogba
lashed out, but he does not blame the former Marseille man
for venting his frustration.
No Blame
“After the throw-in we had to return the ball to Chelsea and we
did that by sending the ball again out of play,” said the Slovakian.
“Tevez got pushed for doing that and I immediately came to protect him.
“I also asked Chelsea’s players what is the problem as they previously
returned the ball by kicking it out — and I thought Tevez did not do
anything wrong.
“The pushing continued then Drogba touched me but I don’t blame him.”
Pressure
The Red Devils triumphed on penalties, and Drogba’s expulsion proved
decisive, as he was scheduled to take Chelsea’s fifth spot-kick during
the shootout.
Instead Blues skipper John Terry stepped in, and missed what would
have been the winner given Cristiano Ronaldo had his effort saved
beforehand.
Vidic believes the pressure affected everyone in Moscow that night,
and admitted even he could have reacted better during the Drogba
incident.
Awkward
“It’s a final, a very important game and some players cannot control
themselves in similar situations,” said the 26-year-old.
“Maybe my reaction was also bad as I ran half the field to put myself
in an awkward situation.
“But now it’s behind me — the most important thing is we won the trophy.”
Mike Maguire
Goal.com
Didier Drogba after the Chelsea striker’s brain-fade on
Wednesday night, insisting his reaction was understandable…
The Ivorian was sent off by referee Lubos Michel after he
slapped Vidic amid a heated coming together of the two
sides during the Champions League final.
The row occurred when, following an injury stoppage, United
forward Carlos Tevez returned possession to Chelsea via the
touchline rather than directly passing back to Blues keeper Petr Cech.
Vidic claimed he was protecting his team-mate when Drogba
lashed out, but he does not blame the former Marseille man
for venting his frustration.
No Blame
“After the throw-in we had to return the ball to Chelsea and we
did that by sending the ball again out of play,” said the Slovakian.
“Tevez got pushed for doing that and I immediately came to protect him.
“I also asked Chelsea’s players what is the problem as they previously
returned the ball by kicking it out — and I thought Tevez did not do
anything wrong.
“The pushing continued then Drogba touched me but I don’t blame him.”
Pressure
The Red Devils triumphed on penalties, and Drogba’s expulsion proved
decisive, as he was scheduled to take Chelsea’s fifth spot-kick during
the shootout.
Instead Blues skipper John Terry stepped in, and missed what would
have been the winner given Cristiano Ronaldo had his effort saved
beforehand.
Vidic believes the pressure affected everyone in Moscow that night,
and admitted even he could have reacted better during the Drogba
incident.
Awkward
“It’s a final, a very important game and some players cannot control
themselves in similar situations,” said the 26-year-old.
“Maybe my reaction was also bad as I ran half the field to put myself
in an awkward situation.
“But now it’s behind me — the most important thing is we won the trophy.”
Mike Maguire
Goal.com