Sergio Aguero issued an apology on Twitter after failing to convert a penalty which allowed Chelsea to see off the Cityzens 2-1 at home on Saturday. The Argentine tried an audacious Panenka moments before the interval but kicked straight into the arms of Edouard Mendy, much to the agony of his teammates.
A victory at the Etihad would have secured City’s seventh Premier League title, but Marcos Alonso’s late winner stalled the celebrations for another week.
Raheem Sterling’s close-range effort gave City a crucial early lead against the Blues, and a few minutes later, Aguero had a golden opportunity to further the advantage when Billy Gilmour brought down Gabriel Jesus. But City’s all-time top-scorer opted for a Panenka and utterly failed in the process handing Edouard Mendy an easy save from his line.
“I would like to apologise to my team-mates, staff and supporters for missing the penalty,”
“It was a bad decision and I take full responsibility.”
Aguero tweeted.
Although Pep Guardiola refused to criticise the forward’s decision, the Spanish coach expressed his dissatisfaction at the missed chance saying,
“It’s selfish because he missed it, if he scored a goal you would say what a genius he is,”
“Always I said to the players taking penalties: ‘Make one decision, right, left – whatever you want, but commit to it.’ He was convinced to do this and he missed it.
“Everyone is disappointed but the most disappointed is him.”
Guardiola insisted when asked if the way Aguero took the penalty was selfish.
But Aguero’s spot-kick disaster isn’t the only time City have been wasteful in their penalty duties. Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling have all missed from the spot this season.
A minor setback against Chelsea halted City’s hopes of lifting the title this weekend. However, they could still be declared as champions on Sunday should bitter-rivals Manchester United suffer at home against Aston Villa.
