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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is ready to take the heat away at Paris Saint-Germain.
Aston Villa’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain is fast approaching and Emiliano Martinez is already anticipating a hostile atmosphere in the French capital.
An arch-enemy in France for his crucial involvement in Argentina’s dramatic 4-3 World Cup final victory, as well as his controversial antics involving Kylian Mbappe, Martinez expects to receive an absolute hounding from the home crowd at Parc des Princes on April 9.
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It’s not surprising Martinez feels this way as he received dog’s abuse all game long away at LOSC Lille during last season’s UEFA Europa Conference League campaign. The goalkeeper was also embroiled in controversy that night as he was booked for time-wasting before he received a second yellow card - but strangely avoided a sending-off - at the start of the penalty shootout.
Similar drama could be in store when the gloves are off for Villa’s return to France – and Martinez weirdly hopes the focus is again on him so his teammates can maintain their focus.
“PSG? It’s going to be heated. I’ve already received messages and everything,” Martinez told TYC Sports. “We’re tough at home, but we struggle a bit more away from home. It’s a knockout — anything can happen.
“Having the game in France? The good thing is that my team will have less pressure because people will insult me. I have it completely under control. Against Lille, they blew my mind for 120 minutes — it’s normal.”
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Emi Martinez can carry Argentina antics to Paris
Martinez thrives in the pressure cooker, it’s safe to say. Whether it be making a worldie save in the dying embers of the World Cup final or managing to get himself on an entire country’s hit list, the two-time Yashin Trophy winner rarely has any trouble in delivering what his supporters want.
This was certainly the case during the international break just gone as Martinez took his nation on his shoulders. As soon as Argentina vs Brazil was approaching on the calendar, you just knew Martinez was getting himself primed; it has always been a fiery fixture but even more so with Martinez’s passionate presence.
Both sets of players could not have been more fired up ahead of Tuesday night’s meeting in the World Cup qualifiers. Brazil’s Raphinha, a Ballon d’Or contender due to his fine form for Barcelona, claimed before the match that his side “would beat up” Lionel Scaloni’s side, prompting screenshots to be sent around the Argentina WhatsApp group chat for extra motivational fuel.
Once the game came around, Martinez couldn’t help but get in on the antics, taking on his usual pantomime villain role. With Argentina 4-1 up, the goalkeeper received the ball and, instead of picking it up, began doing keepie-uppies on the edge of his own box.
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Argentina boss Scaloni was far from impressed as he wagged his finger and ordered Martinez to continue play, but the goalkeeper laughed before eventually clearing the ball away. The travelling Brazil supporters - as well as the players - did not share the same enthusiasm as Villa’s number 23.
Wind-up merchant Martinez was at his taunting best in Argentina and he may yet decide to deploy similar, provoking antics in Paris.