Bernardo Silva: I went through many emotions from penalty miss to Wembley winner
Bernardo Silva admitted he had been through a range of emotions after bouncing back from his European penalty heartache with an FA Cup semi-final winner.
The Portugal midfielder scored Manchester City’s late clincher as the holders ground out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday to book a return to the final.
It came less than three days after he had badly fluffed his lines with a poor spot-kick as City were agonisingly knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in a draining encounter on Wednesday.
Silva released a lot of emotion in a vigorous celebration after his 84th-minute strike and he revealed that was culmination of a lot of factors.
He said: “After a very frustrating week for all of us it’s good to get back on the winning side and qualify for another final and another chance to win a trophy. We’re happy.
“Wednesday was a frustrating night for me. It was tough. First night, I didn’t sleep much. Second night, you sleep a bit better, the third night you sleep almost the whole night.
“It is what it is. It’s football, it’s our profession and we have to deal with those emotions.
“The way this team reacts is always really good. Once again we showed character and that no matter what happens, we stick together and go for it.”
Silva – one of two City players to miss in the shootout loss along with Mateo Kovacic – was embarrassed as he chipped tamely into the hands of Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin from the spot.
He said that he had seen Lunin move early for the previous penalty, taken by Julian Alvarez, and felt striking down the middle would be a good idea.
Silva said: “I was waiting, I wanted to be the second or the third penalty to see the reaction from the keeper in the first or the first two penalties.
“And he moved early, that’s why I thought the middle was good because in moments of pressure the keepers, 99 per cent of the time, they move. But he chose not to move and fair play to him, well done.”
Silva denied a theory that the delay to his penalty, caused by the ball needing to be retrieved from the crowd, had affected him mentally.
He said: “For me, no. My decision was made. I was going shoot the penalty in the middle.”
City showed the resolve of champions to hang in and edge out Chelsea, who dominated the tie at Wembley.
The Londoners were left to rue wasting a host of chances, with misfiring striker Nicolas Jackson the prime culprit. They were also frustrated not to be awarded a penalty after a Cole Palmer free-kick struck the arm of Jack Grealish.
Veteran defender Thiago Silva said: “I think it’s laughable. I don’t like to talk about the referees, especially after a defeat as it looks like an excuse, but I believe VAR could have sent the ref to the monitor.
“If he goes to the monitor and decides not to give a pen, I’m fine with it, but go and see it.”
Silva, 39, is out of contract at the end of the season and promised to reveal his future plans soon.
The Brazilian said: “You are going to know in the coming days. I don’t want to say anything now after a defeat, I’m sad about the result, but sooner or later the news will come out.
“I do have a decision made in my mind, but it’s not the moment to share it.”
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Mauricio Pochettino explains why Chelsea lost to Man City in FA Cup semi-final
Mauricio Pochettino has spoken out on Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final loss to Man City
Nicolas Jackson had several opportunities to score
Cole Palmer unable to find the back of the net
By Joshua Browne
Apr 21, 2024
Mauricio Pochettino saw his side squander chances aplenty
Mauricio Pochettino saw his side squander chances aplenty / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
Mauricio Pochettino feels Chelsea lacked the clinical edge needed to overcome Manchester City in their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.
Neither City or Chelsea showcased their finest form at Wembley, but true to Pep Guardiola's leadership the former managed to find a way, with Bernardo Silva's goal in the 84th minute sealing a 1-0 victory and a place in the final.
Chelsea's most promising opportunities arose through Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson, but he was unable to convert any of them, much to the frustration of the club's supporters around the ground and staff in the dugout.
Top scorer Cole Palmer, meanwhile, performed admirably and was unlucky not to have earned his side a penalty when his free-kick struck the arm of Jack Grealish.
Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea couldn't find a way through / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages
Speaking to BBC Sport at full-time, Pochettino said: "I think in the game we were a little bit better and deserved more, but it is not about deserving it, it is about being clinical and we were not today.
"We conceded in a moment you should not concede. We were not capable of being clinical in front of goal, we had many chances but we did not score.
"On Monday we scored six [against Everton] but today we were not capable of scoring even with having maybe more chances and more clear chances to score.
"Today we were playing a very good team in Manchester City. It wasn't easy but we were capable of playing a very good game, competing really well. Looking forward we want to build on this, sometimes you have these sorts of games on your journey and the important thing is to take the positives from it."
Up next for Chelsea is a visit to the Emirates Stadium to take on the high-flying Arsenal. Securing a victory would not only dent the Gunners' title aspirations but also enhance the Blues' prospects of qualifying for Europe.
"The focus is on the game next Tuesday, there is not too many games to recover and it is going to be another tough game," Pochettino added.
"Of course we need to win in a positive way to try to win more league games and get close to the position of being in Europe."
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Ronald Araujo reveals status of Barcelona contract talks
Ronald Araujo says that contract talks have begun, with his Barcelona deal set to expire in 2026
The 25-year-old has claimed he is 'happy' with the La Liga giants
Barca may be forced to make a sale if they are to fix their financial woes
By Katie Catherall
Apr 21, 2024
Araujo is 'happy' at Barcelona
Araujo is 'happy' at Barcelona / Tim Clayton - Corbis/GettyImages
Ronald Araujo has spoken of his wish to remain with Barcelona despite reports suggesting the club could sell him.
In order to combat their ongoing financial troubles, Barca may be forced into making significant sales during the summer transfer window, and Araujo looks to be an obvious candidate to raise funds.
Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid have all been linked with the 25-year-old, who could bring €100 million (£86m) to the club if a sale is made.
Erik ten Hag, Willy Kambwala, Harry Maguire
Man Utd are in need of another centre-back / Marc Atkins/GettyImages
But Araujo has shared his desire to remain in Barcelona and his pride to sport the club's colours.
Speaking to Diario AS, on potential contract talks the Uruguayan said: "The truth is that it is going well. The club has started talks with my agents. We are thinking about these games and what remains of the season. And when the season is over, they will sit down and talk.
"There is always talk about the future and proposals. Every year it will be like this, but I am happy in Barcelona, my family is happy. When I go out I give everything and I want Barca to be the Barca of old. And until the end I will always fight to the death for this shirt."
Araujo was also asked for his opinion on El Clasico as Barca travel to face Real Madrid on Sunday.
He said: "We have a rematch. Madrid is our biggest rival and we have to change our mentality. Let's go with everything on Sunday."
Barcelona are in danger of falling 11 points behind Madrid in La Liga's table with defeat, with their Spanish title almost certainly heading back to the Santiago Bernabeu this season.
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