da bet esporte： BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has slammed Miguel Almiron for his play-acting after the Paraguayan was shown a second yellow card for simulation while representing his country in a friendly with Serbia last week.
What’s he said?
da roleta： Almiron was handed a role in midfield against Serbia by manager Eduardo Berizzo last Thursday, as Paraguay went in search of only their second win in any competition since before this summer’s Copa America.
Paraguay were held to two draws and two defeats at this summer’s competition, before being beaten by Japan and Jordan during the September international break.
Their run of results did not change against Serbia, either, and the 1-0 defeat was followed by a 1-1 draw with Slovakia on Sunday night – without Almiron in the squad.
Almiron was suspended for the friendly encounter with Slovakia after receiving two yellow cards against Serbia, the second of which came after referee Nejc Kajtazovic deemed the 25-year-old to have simulated contact 11 minutes after first showing the 22-cap ace a yellow card.
It was the second sending off of Almiron’s international career, and came in the fourth straight international game in which he has failed to score or assist a goal.
The Asuncion-born playmaker has not scored or assisted a goal in any of his 18 Newcastle outings to date, either, and former Blackburn Rovers striker Sutton has slated Almiron for his record and apparent diving.
Speaking on BBC 606 on Sunday, October 13, one-time England international Sutton said:
“Miguel Almiron has more dives than goals this season. He’s not scored. He goes top of the table [for dives]. You are better than that Almiron.
“What’s going on with players? What’s going on with [the] country? They’re not listening. You are better than that, Almiron! Let’s see goals, let’s see goals! Let’s not see dives! Let’s not see the simulation.”
Frustrations are well placed
Sutton’s frustrations with Almiron’s antics are very much well placed.
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Despite arriving at Newcastle mid-way through the 2018/19 campaign, Almiron ended the term ninth for key passes among the United squad with 13 and tenth for shots with 19, per data collected by WhoScored, but none led to a goal.
His story in Black and White has continued this season, as well, with Almiron yet to score or assist, while he ranks 11th for key passes among the squad and 18th for passing accuracy.
His diving, of course, has grabbed headlines and Sutton is right; he needs to hit the goal trail soon, or his play acting will continue to be the centre of attention.