André Onana was the hero for Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup quarter-final against Samsunspor, saving three penalties in a shootout after the match ended 0-0 after extra time, according to reports. Onana conceded only one of Samsunspor's four penalties, stopping efforts from Lubomir Satka, Marius Mouandilmadji, and Yunus Emre Cift, per reports. Trabzonspor will now face Genclerbirligi in the semi-finals.
Onana joined Trabzonspor on loan from Manchester United in September and has made 28 appearances for the club. Trabzonspor currently sits third in the Turkish Super Lig. Turkish publication Sabah called Onana a 'penalty specialist' and said he 'carried Trabzonspor on his shoulders'. Hurriyet reported that Onana 'made his mark' with three penalty saves and made a 'fantastic' save from Logi Tomasson.
That's a story for another time. I'm not going to have a big discussion about it because what I like is the personality of a player who decides to go for it. When we discussed it, we were very, very clear about the shooting order. And so, they went for it, and I respect that personality. Then there's the story of the game. Unfortunately for Leo [Balerdi] and Ethan [Nwaneri], they missed.
In France, Marseille's Coupe de France campaign ended in disappointment as they lost to Toulouse in a quarter-final penalty shootout, according to reports. Mason Greenwood scored a penalty for Marseille in the second minute, but the match went to penalties after extra time. Ethan Nwaneri missed the decisive penalty for Marseille, sending his shot over the crossbar, per reports. Toulouse goalkeeper Kjetil Haug saved a penalty from Leonardo Balerdi and forced Nwaneri to miss, according to reports.
Marseille head coach Habib Beye defended Nwaneri, praising his 'personality' to step up. "That's a story for another time. I'm not going to have a big discussion about it because what I like is the personality of a player who decides to go for it," Beye said in a press conference. "When we discussed it, we were very, very clear about the shooting order. And so, they went for it, and I respect that personality. Then there's the story of the game. Unfortunately for Leo [Balerdi] and Ethan [Nwaneri], they missed." Beye also confirmed that Igor Paixao was not used in the shootout due to cramps and fatigue. "As for Igor [Paixao], when I asked him, he had cramps and was therefore very tired, which is why he was taken off," Beye said.
They're the ones most affected tonight, but that's how it is. It's simply unfortunate that this technical skill that, at that moment in the game and at that moment in the competition, was not mastered.
Yann Gboho scored for Toulouse from a set piece, according to reports. Toulouse, who won the Coupe de France in 2023, advanced to the semi-finals.
There's been talk of it being a lottery, but I truly believe it's a technical skill. Players who have mastered that skill and feel confident should accept that this order is in place. As for Igor [Paixao], when I asked him, he had cramps and was therefore very tired, which is why he was taken off.