Expert cites Diego Simeone amid Newcastle United claim – ‘it’s going to happen’
Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier used his experience from his time under Diego Simeone in Spain when he cynically brought down Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne last Sunday (21 August).
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Trippier, who scored a stunning free kick earlier in the game, scythed down De Bruyne when he was on the charge with 20 minutes left to play in the thrilling 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park.
Referee Jarred Gillet showed the 31-year-old right-back a red card before, on the advice of VAR official Peter Bankes, downgrading it to a yellow after he consulted the pitch-side monitor.
As quoted by the Daily Mail after the match, Trippier insisted: “I would sacrifice everything for my team, but I would never injury anybody.”
The 37-cap England man spent two-and-a-half years with Atletico Madrid before he joined the Tynesiders.
Dinnery insists that the 2020-21 La Liga champion is “well-versed” in tactical fouls thanks to his time at the club.
“Every time you cross that white line, you’re always at risk because it’s a contact sport,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Even the most innocuous of challenges can result in dire repercussions for a player. I don’t think anyone can 100 per cent go into a tackle knowing what the outcome will be.
“A little knock or niggle can result in an awkward falling. There’s player-to-ground, player-to-player and player-to-ball impact. There’s a lot going on with two players moving across the ground really quickly.
“Even with the best intentions, there are no guarantees. Watching the game live, you couldn’t really disagree that it was a red card. But from the different replays, you probably realised that a caution was actually right in that instance.
“It could have gone either way. In the past, it would have gone against Newcastle.
“These decisions and that level of gamesmanship are sometimes frowned upon. But while it’s within the rules, it’s always going to happen.
“If you went on the continent, these challenges are happening all the time. Tactical fouls are creeping into the game. Trippier is well versed from his time in La Liga under Diego Simeone.
“People compared it to the tackle by Allan on Allan Saint-Maximin last year. But that was a lot more intentional. I’m giving Trippier the benefit of the doubt here.
“It was a tackle used to stop a fellow professional in flow rather than one with intent to hurt.”
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