advertisement
Sat, May 26 2012
British media tears into Dimitar Berbatov after United's blunder at Blackburn
The infamous moment when Berbatov hit the deck without a reason.
The captain of Bulgaria's national team found himself the target of heavy criticism from British media following the disappointing Manchester United botch-up against Blackburn Rovers on April 10 at Ewood Park, a match that ended in a goaless draw.
In the words of United manager Alex Ferguson, as quoted on the club's official website, "the title is slipping away" as Chelsea remain a point ahead in the table and a match in hand.
With United's talisman and top scorer Wayne Rooney out of the fray with injury, it was down to Dimitar Berbatov, a 30.8 million pounds signing less than two years ago, to inspire his teammates and orchestrate United's attacks in what was a must-win match against an otherwise unassuming adversary.
But the Bulgarian was neither driving, nor instrumental, nor inspiring. According to the UK's The Guardian, "Berbatov, for all his technical brilliance, quite simply does not boast the charisma and dynamism of a Cristiano Ronaldo or an Eric Cantona and singularly failed to bring Macheda into things".
The criticism continues with Berbatov being branded an "an expensive mistake".
The Daily Telegraph was less scathing, saying that "the Bulgarian proved yet again that he is suffocating under the pressure in Manchester United."
Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, who could not hide his disappointment from television cameras after the match with Blackburn, had no outside influences to blame this time and could not avoid criticising his players , even if he did not point fingers in public.
"Our play today in the last third wasn’t good enough [and the result] isn’t what we expected given the amount of possession we had," he said. "We had the chances in the game – I don’t think Blackburn made any chances – but dominating possession isn’t enough. You need to take your chances. We had enough opportunities to create chances in the last third. We should have done better."
But perhaps the harshest criticism against the Bulgarian came from the Times of London.
"When Berbatov was not moping around, head bowed, he was tearing into team-mates, throwing his arms in the air in condemnation, even when they had not erred," the newspaper said in its match report.
"Nobody encapsulated United’s frustrations or limitations at Ewood Park more than Dimitar Berbatov, who, somewhat fittingly, slipped on his backside with not another player in sight in the 86th minute to roars of laughter from the Blackburn faithful. And he wonders why he has a reputation of a sulker?"
In the words of United manager Alex Ferguson, as quoted on the club's official website, "the title is slipping away" as Chelsea remain a point ahead in the table and a match in hand.
With United's talisman and top scorer Wayne Rooney out of the fray with injury, it was down to Dimitar Berbatov, a 30.8 million pounds signing less than two years ago, to inspire his teammates and orchestrate United's attacks in what was a must-win match against an otherwise unassuming adversary.
But the Bulgarian was neither driving, nor instrumental, nor inspiring. According to the UK's The Guardian, "Berbatov, for all his technical brilliance, quite simply does not boast the charisma and dynamism of a Cristiano Ronaldo or an Eric Cantona and singularly failed to bring Macheda into things".
The criticism continues with Berbatov being branded an "an expensive mistake".
The Daily Telegraph was less scathing, saying that "the Bulgarian proved yet again that he is suffocating under the pressure in Manchester United."
Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, who could not hide his disappointment from television cameras after the match with Blackburn, had no outside influences to blame this time and could not avoid criticising his players , even if he did not point fingers in public.
"Our play today in the last third wasn’t good enough [and the result] isn’t what we expected given the amount of possession we had," he said. "We had the chances in the game – I don’t think Blackburn made any chances – but dominating possession isn’t enough. You need to take your chances. We had enough opportunities to create chances in the last third. We should have done better."
But perhaps the harshest criticism against the Bulgarian came from the Times of London.
"When Berbatov was not moping around, head bowed, he was tearing into team-mates, throwing his arms in the air in condemnation, even when they had not erred," the newspaper said in its match report.
"Nobody encapsulated United’s frustrations or limitations at Ewood Park more than Dimitar Berbatov, who, somewhat fittingly, slipped on his backside with not another player in sight in the 86th minute to roars of laughter from the Blackburn faithful. And he wonders why he has a reputation of a sulker?"
-
Print
-
Send via email
- Translate to
-
Share:
Comments
To post comments, please, Login or Register.
Please read the The Sofia Echo forum comments policy.
Weekend blog: Berbatov goal does not help dispel criticism
Another match, another junk goal for Dimitar Berbatov, a fortunate one at that, as Bulgarian striker delivers another unconvincing performance.
More in this category
Keeping sport clean needs enhanced policing and prevention, Interpol chief says
Co-operation and synergy between the police, sports organisations, regulatory agencies and the community in general is vital if we want to prevent sport from losing its true meaning and value, Ronald Noble said.
Euro 2012 ticket design unveiled
Poland will host Euro 2012 championships along with Ukraine between June 8 and July 1.
Bulgaria aborts bid to host Euro 2020 football championship
For the past two years, BFU has been exploring the possibility of making a joint bid with Romania, winning the support of Prime Minister Boiko Borissov.
Ferguson: Berbatov could leave United at end of season
Bulgarian striker is said to be frustrated by lack of appearances in first team
New era
Despite Berbatov's continued absence, Bulgaria looked livelier than ever in friendly with Hungary.
© 2000-2012, Sofia Echo Media Ltd.
Web Design by RIZN
Sofia Echo Media is part of the Economedia Group.
The news and information content on this website is provided by our editorial team and is copyrighted.
Any unauthorised reproduction or use of it is strictly forbidden. Reproduction of this website's content is permitted only
with prior written permission from the Editor-in-Chief, should be propertly acredited and provide an active link back to our site.
Comments posted by the website's visitors are independent of the editorial materials and do not represent the views of sofiaecho.com.
Sofia Echo Media cannot be held responsible for the statements contained in visitor comments.
The percentаge change in the shares' prices are based on the price of the last transaction of the current session compared to the
price of the last transaction of the previous session. Bulgarian Stock Exchange data is not real-time, but updated every 15 minutes,
and should not be used as a basis for decisions about buying or selling stock options.
- Economedia Group portfolio:
- In Bulgarian:
-
Business:
Капитал,
Кариери,
Пазари,
Ho Re Mag,
Регал,
Градът.bg,
Одит,
Foton.bg,
Online shop
- News: Дневник, Европа, Foreign Policy - България
- IT: IDG.BG, Computerworld, PC World, CIO, Networkworld
- Entertainment: Бакхус
-
In English:
The Sofia Echo
why don't Alex let Berbatov play as a midfielder? i think he can create more chances for goals. he has skills. just try him out for a while and see. if he's not up to it then Man. Utd have to do something. but until then, just give him the chance.
I think berbatov is a good player but his style of football is not fit for the team.Man Utd should target a goal scoring striker or more solid midfielder that can score from wide range.
guys, come on. Why must everybody criticize Berbatov? You can not blame him just like that. For example, during the clash between MU and Blackburn, I think Berba did well. He always tried to set up all the attacking moments. You should ask yourself...where are all the midfielders? Where is Macheda? He was just running around like kid chasing an ice cream. Berba did try few times but the luck was not on his side.
People always say he is a lazy player but the critics will fade away when he does some magic moment just [...]
Read the full comment like what he did last season during West Ham game if i'm not mistaken where he assisted Ronaldo.
Think about it..his style of playing is like that. You cant blame him. He is not Rooney nor Ronaldo...HE IS BERBATOV! :D
Ok berbatov dint play good yesterday but valencia was the one who missed the sitter wich berbatov set up it seams he is becoming a escape goat for some of the united fans
berbetov has showed us his worthless agian he felt agian i could understand why he alway look lezy please do something 4 man u is your duty
berba was a pouting child, making image of Builgarian footballers bad. What club will want to buy another Bulgarian when Berba's whining is the past model? Shame! There's more to sport than your huge salary Berba!
soccer is more than just one player so blaming berbatov only is witch-hunting so the press deserve down the line what they sow (stoichkov has treated the press as they deserve to be treated--and I'm a member of the press most of which is too lazy to do detailed anaylsis). The press needs to analyze things a bit deeper before pitch-forking someone. How about the coach or some of the other mid-fielders or perhaps complementing the other team for good defensive play. I notice the press is quicker to jump on foreign players rather than english players also. Let's see [...]
Read the full comment what happens in the next match.
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained foul, abusive or discriminating language
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained foul, abusive or discriminating language
Up the Rovers!!
One Club does not make a Premier League. Humility x
Really I am very much disappointed with ManU in the last four consecutive matches. In the abscence of one striker the whole team were not able to win. Please learn from your mistakes
sir alex should rather keep that number 9 because when you give flash back you find that even andy cole had some failers,look at saha the some story.but for berbatov it's another story,even alex saw that he can not make it.
Berbetov is a snail than a player,but jezy number 9 is not a successful jezy that is what i have realised
Berbetov was a disgrace in this match. The ill behavior of this "professional" can be found on any school yard in Bulgaria.
Berba out!!!! now!!