Football

Kyle Walker’s Warning to Vinicius: No More Rainbow Flicks

May 16, 2023 6:30 pm

Manchester City returned from Santiago Bernabeu with an away goal to show for their trip. The 1-1 draw saw Vinicius Jr open the scoring against the run of play in the first half with Kevin de Brunye repaying in kind after the break.

Kyle Walker had the tough task of keeping the young Brazilian quiet during the semi-final encounter. Despite the wondergoal from Vinicius, the England international came out with his reputation intact.

Kyle Walker

An Embrace of Respect and Warning

With Karim Benzema kept silent by Ruben Dias, it was Vinicius who kept Real Madrid in the tie. The 22-year-old showcased his array of tricks in the Champions League encounter, with Walker taking note of his audacity.

The City right-back hugged him after Portuguese referee Artur Soares Dias blew for full-time. After their battle on the pitch, Walker praised his counterpart for his abilities and told him during their embrace not to test him in that fashion again.

“I went to hug him because he tried to rainbow me, so it was like ‘please don’t try that again’,” Walker remarked. “But boxers fight and shake hands after and that is the respect I do have for him, when it is a good game, you show them that respect because they deserve it.

“He has taken a massive club like that over the line in the Champions League. Tomorrow night, if chosen, I will give him the respect he deserves after the whistle, before that it is dog eat dog .”

Walker Unfazed by Trash-Talking Vinicius

Chelsea fell foul to Vinicius’ antics on the pitch and the Brazilian made them pay. The Blues paid for falling into the trap but the Citizens’ were more determined in their approach.

More used to play-acting and trash-talking than Chelsea’s youthful defence, Walker shared that these are part of the game. It is the opposition players’ job to do everything in their capacity to get over the line and such antics are just part of their arsenal.

“I wouldn’t say he’s a provocative player, he’s a very good player, he does what he has to to get his side over the line,” Walker added. “I try not to get involved if someone is trash-talking, I have been through things in my life that are more difficult than people trying to get a reaction on me.

“People going down and asking for yellow cards is part and parcel of the game.”

Manchester City’s Final Stretch

Pep Guardiola’s charges have a month to etch their names in the annals of English football. They can become only the second Premier League club to complete a treble, solidifying their status as one of the best teams to play in England.

The Citizens take on the challenge of crosstown rivals in the FA Cup final. They have pole position on the Premier League points table and are four points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand. Victory over Chelsea in their next league outing will land them their fifth league title in six campaigns.

While a double is a very-much certainty, a Champions League triumph to complete their treble ambitions is a much more difficult task. City needs to finish off Real Madrid and will take on the challenge of one of Milan clubs, AC or Inter in the final.

 

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