Argentinian goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli has moved to defend Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, insisting he is not the villain he is painted as.
The goalkeeper has been taking to L’Equipe, relayed by RMC Sport, about the 32-year-old Aston Villa number one and how he isn’t what people think he is.
While loved at Villa Park and in Argentina thanks to his performances for club and country over the last few years, Martinez is undoubtedly in the top five most disliked footballers everywhere else.
That is due to the ‘in your face’ attitude he adopts on the pitch, often getting in player’s faces and playing mental mind games to secure an edge over his opponents.
It’s a trick that has worked so far, particularly on the international front, where he’s won the Copa America twice and the World Cup.
The latter was secured thanks to a win over France in one of the best World Cup finals of all time, which ultimately went to penalties.
That was where the Aston Villa man stepped up again, employing his psychological tactics to full effect after previously using them in the quarter-final shoot out win over the Netherlands.
This ultimately effected Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouaméni, who both missed to hand victory to Argentina despite an epic comeback from the French.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper has been public enemy number one in France since but Rulli, who plays for Marseille in Ligue 1, seemingly wants to try and change that.
“I’m very good friends with him, we have a great relationship, and I understand very well what Dibu provokes in others. But if you really know him, he’s a great person,” he said.
“When it comes to competition, he wants to win, and he will do everything possible to beat you.
“I have my own routine; I wouldn’t be able to do what he does before a shot on goal. Not because I don’t, I don’t like it, but because at that moment I’m thinking of something else.
“France-Argentina has become a classic. We felt hostility in the stadium, but we love it! I would be lying to you if I told you that it bothers us. It motivates us.”
