‘I’m going to get insulted’ – Emiliano Martinez unconcerned by hostile PSG reception | OneFootball

Emiliano Martínez (32) has embraced his persona as public enemy number one in France. The Argentine goalkeeper broke French hearts in the penalty shootout that decided the 2022 World Cup final and then did it again when he helped Aston Villa eliminate Lille OSC on penalties in last season’s Europa League quarterfinal.

Martínez has the chance to do it a third time when his Villa side take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on the 9th and 15th of April. The goalkeeper is under no illusions that the atmosphere will be hostile when he travels to France for the first leg, particularly after his experiences in Lille last season.

He told TyC Sports previously, “[Lille supporters] insulted me the whole match. I’ve never been insulted so much in my whole life. They did everything to me, and I did nothing in return for 120 minutes of the match. People insulted me every time I cleared the ball. Then there was the penalty shootout, and I silenced them.”

He expects it’ll be no different this time round, explaining in an interview with Telefe that his presence as a lightning rod could prove to be a hidden advantage for his side. “My team will be under less pressure because the focus will be on me, the fans will be insulting me… I’ve got it completely under control.”

The goalkeeper also hinted that he is preparing for an even more hostile reception at the Parc des Pirnces than he received at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. “The French said it’ll be worse at PSG than at Lille.”

GFFN | Nick Hartland