Ange Postecoglou says he’s happy for James Maddison to pass on penalty duties when he feels it’s appropriate, but has jokingly named the one Spurs player he would rather not take spot-kicks.
Richarlison scored from the spot to hand Spurs a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday night, maintaining their perfect start in the competition.
But the Brazilian was only given the opportunity to score after a drawn-out incident with Maddison.
Wearing the captain’s armband for the evening, Maddison initially took the ball from Richarlison and assumed authority over the penalty, only to have a change of heart and hand the ball back.
After the match, Maddison explained that he felt it was more important that Richarlison get his first goal of the season after spending an extended period on the sidelines injured.
“Initially we both wanted to take it. I’m a senior player, I was captain today, I was going to take it, but I thought Richarlison has come back from an injury, it’s difficult for a striker – a first goal gives confidence,” Maddison clarified.
“It was a split-second decision to let him take it. [It’s] leadership, obviously I wore the armband but even if I wasn’t the captain I would still like to think I would make a decision that is best for the team. Hopefully, that gives him a big boost.”
Ange Postecoglou reacts to Maddison-Richarlison incident
Naturally, Postecoglou has been quizzed about the incident in the aftermath of Thursday’s win.
The Australian coach has no problem with players making their own in-game decisions, but did cheekily name goalkeeper Fraser Forster as one he’d rather not be allowed penalty-taking duties.
“I was happy with the outcome, mate,” Postecoglou told reporters (via Football.London). “I don’t care how they get to it. If the ball’s in the back of the net, I’m happy.
“We do have designated penalty-takers. They’re both equally good at taking penalties. We went through a process and they thought it would be beneficial for Richy to take it. But I was comfortable.
“Maybe if they threw the ball to Fraser [Forster], I’d be a bit more worried about it, though he would think he could do it.
“It wasn’t such a wild decision in that moment. There was some clarity around it and the important thing was he scored.”
