How do you prepare your team for advancement? Eric Bailly entertains the internet with his penalty

After 120 minutes of a goalless and physically demanding African Cup of Nations eight-final match between Ivory Coast and Egypt, it was penalty kicks. Manchester United defender Eric Bailly was the only one to fail. However, the manner of the execution amused fans around the world. Judge for yourself.

The clash between the tournament’s big favourites was billed as evenly matched. Nothing changed that, not even the course of the match itself and the goalless draw at the end of the game time. Penalty kicks are then a very mentally demanding discipline, especially in the knockout phase.

Ivorian stopper Eric Bailly, 27, probably wanted to show his self-confidence as he went to kick his first penalty in the third series. He wanted to take his cue from his club teammate, Bruno Fernandes.

The latter is a renowned penalty taker and is characterised by a short run and a little bounce just before taking the kick to unsettle the goalkeeper.

But to make matters worse, Bailly tried the finesse of another Premier League striker, Roberto Firmino. He sometimes looks the other way at the time of the penalty kick than where he is actually finishing.

This strange combination of styles was not successful. On the contrary. The missed penalty cost Ivory Coast a place in the quarter-finals and the Red Devils stopper took a big hit from some fans on social media. Most, however, are amused by his failed stunt.

The hero of the moment, and ultimately of the shootout, was Egyptian goalkeeper Mohammed El Shenawy. Bailly himself took his mistake very badly and cried after the game.

“The performance he gave throughout the championship showed that he is a great champion. All great players don’t take penalties, I know many examples of that.”

Source:: iSport, Ace Football