Jack Grealish told to make critical change after Man City warning – pundit
Paul Robinson has insisted Man City star Jack Grealish will have to “learn some restraint” after he was targeted by Diego Simeone during the 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday (5 April).
The former England goalkeeper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 26-year-old will have to “adapt and live with” the consequences of his British record transfer.
As per OptaJoe (6 April), Grealish was the most fouled player on the pitch during the Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash – despite playing just 22 minutes.
The incessant fouls sparked a minor confrontation when the final whistle sounded at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking post-match and quoted by the Mirror, manager Pep Guardiola urged his team to “control their emotions” during the return leg in Madrid next week (13 April).
Robinson suggested Diego Simeone purposefully targetted Grealish as he knew the midfielder has the “potential to retaliate”.
“It’s a part of the game that he’ll have to learn,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“It was clear to see that he was being targeted. Simeone is a master of the dark arts, and the amount of homework they must do on opposition teams is massive.
“His players must have been told to do that. Told to give him a push, a nudge, wind him up. They know that there’s a potential to get a bite out of him.
“That’s something that he’ll have to learn, live with, and adapt to in his career.
“He’s gonna have to learn some restraint. He’s got the quality, but other teams know that he has the potential to retaliate.”
Man City are top of the Premier League.
Grealish has scored just two top-flight goals since his reported £100million move last summer.
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