Mauro Icardi got a very ‘unlike-Christmas’ gift from Fenerbahce as he was left with a black eye after Galatasaray’s Super Lig match against their bitter rivals. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce played out a 0-0 draw that only looks dull on paper considering the scoreline but was well ahead of entertainment for people who watched it.
The clash was a mouthwatering one considering both the teams are equal on points at the top of the table, and the game delivered as there was nothing much to separate them. However, it was Mauro Icardi’s right eye that stole all the headlines, as both the teams go up against each other once again on Friday for their Super Cup game.
How did Mauro Icardi get a black eye?
Christmas came early, and in a wrong way for Mauro Icardi, as the Argentine forward was left with bruises after a literal battle against Galatasaray’s fiercest rivals Fenerbahce. Icardi has had a good season, and has been impactful in all competitions, including Gala’s UCL outings against Manchester United.
Mauro Icardi took to social media to share an image of himself sporting a black eye subsequent to the intense derby match on Sunday, with Galatasaray condemning the match’s refereeing.
Galatasaray criticized the referees for failing to award a penalty to the injured Argentine forward who had collided with the goal post after an apparent push on him during the scoreless draw, leaving him with a black eye.
Galatasaray, taking a dig at Fenerbahce, wrote via a post on social media, “Those who only want justice for themselves continued to manipulate Turkish football from every channel tonight!”. They further added, “VAR room and 26 cameras cannot see and we feel ashamed on their behalf. Those who brought Turkish football to this point will be ashamed.”
Edin Dzeko lashes out at Icardi and Galatasaray
However, Mauro Icardi could not get any sympathy from Fenerbahce, and was instead called out by their captain Edin Dzeko, for trying to gain sympathy by “crying for the penalty”.
Dzeko replied to Icardi’s black eyed post, and commented, “Icardi hit the goal post with his head and they put him on Instagram and cry for the penalty… typical them. Embarrassing.”
Fenerbahce too, took to X, formerly Twitter, to quote Galatasaray’s complaint and write, “Trying to create victimization through the player hitting the goal post. We leave it to the discretion of the public”.
As the battle between the Turkish top two, who are only separated by a goal difference of seven, heats up, their Super Cup final on Friday will be a match to look forward to, considering their recent outing.
Do you think Mauro Icardi deserved a penalty for the push that led to his face crashing into the goalpost? Let us know your views on this via comments.
