Gilberto talks about Savage
January 28, 2007
Following Robbie Savage’s broken leg, Gilberto has said a little bit about the whole Savage-Red-Card debate.
Here we go:
I feel sorry for Savage, because even with what he did against me, it’s not the kind of thing I would want for a fellow professional.
I wish him all the best and a good recovery so that he can come back quickly.
I don’t hold anything against him. But I’ve never tried to get someone sent off — and I think Savage tried to make me react as I did.
We have played against him many times and he has tried this with other players.
He tries to upset people on the pitch but we need to respect him. I wish him all the best because he’s a professional player.
You play football for 15 or 20 years but you never learn everything. It was a lesson for me. I should not have reacted.
The game had been stopped by the referee and, as I was preparing to get up, I felt a kick in my back.
I don’t understand why he kicked me. I know I was wrong to react as I did because we could have lost that game. With 10 men it’s even harder.
It’s been difficult to watch the games and come to the Emirates without being part of the team.
I was very down after the red card. I went straight to the dressing room and was very upset. In the second half I went to the lounge to watch the game although I didn’t want to. I was really annoyed with myself for the reaction I had.
I heard he broke his leg but I don’t hold anything against him.
He wants to play football and what happened with me is the kind of thing I want to forget.
I didn’t see him after the game. He didn’t call to apologise or anything — but I think as I was so upset maybe I didn’t want his apology.
But if he tries to say sorry to me, then, of course, I would accept that.
Of course, the games with Bolton and Wednesday’s semi-final second leg against Spurs are very important.
I still think we can win the Premiership but in case it doesn’t happen it’s important we win the domestic cups. But if you ask players in the squad how they feel, they will say they want to win everything.
We’re looking strong at the moment and that makes us believe in ourselves.
Bolton have some quality players and are quite physical in the way they play. The teams who play against them need to cope with that. We’ve had some nightmares at the Reebok but we can deal with that sort of game now.We have a young team but after a period of transition we’ve shown fantastic spirit and character.
The team look solid and strong now and the more we play the more confident we feel.