Interviewer: Mohamed, there was a key moment in the second half where a goal was disallowed due to an offside call. What’s your take on that decision?
Mohamed Salah: Yeah, it was definitely a frustrating moment, especially because we felt the goal could have been a turning point in the match. But to be honest, in those situations, it’s hard for us players to see everything clearly in real-time. We all saw the flag go up, and then we just had to keep our heads in the game. I haven’t seen the replay yet, but from my point of view, I thought I was onside.
Interviewer: You were visibly upset at the time. What went through your mind when the linesman raised the flag?
Mohamed Salah: It’s natural to feel frustrated because you want to make an impact, and when you score a goal, you’re always thinking about how important it is for the team. But then again, we all know that these decisions can be tight, and it’s part of the game. The important thing for me was to stay focused and make sure we didn’t let that moment affect our overall performance.
Interviewer: Do you believe technology like VAR should play a bigger role in decisions like these?
Mohamed Salah: VAR definitely helps, especially with these marginal offside calls. Sometimes it’s so close that even the linesman can’t get it right in the heat of the moment. I think if the technology can provide clarity, then it’s good for everyone – for the players, the fans, and the referees. I just hope that it’s used to make sure the correct decision is made, but we also need to remember that no system is perfect. We just have to keep playing.
Interviewer: So, how did you and the team bounce back after that controversial call?
Mohamed Salah: After that moment, we didn’t let our heads drop. We kept pushing forward. We knew that the game wasn’t over, and there would be more chances. We had to stay positive and keep the intensity up. At the end of the day, we’re a team, and one moment like that doesn’t define us. We’ve got to focus on the next opportunity and keep fighting for the three points.
Key Insights from the Player’s Perspective:
- Frustration but Focus: Players often feel frustration in such moments, but they understand the need to refocus and not let one decision derail their performance.
- Subjectivity of Offside Calls: Offside decisions can be very tight, and players acknowledge that even they may not have a clear view of the situation in real-time.
- Importance of VAR: Many players support VAR for its ability to make accurate calls, especially on marginal offside decisions, but they also understand the limitations of technology.
- Team Mentality: The player emphasizes the importance of staying positive and maintaining focus after controversial decisions, highlighting the collective responsibility of the team to move forward.