USMNT star Folarin Balogun breaks silence on two embarrassing penalty miss for Monaco against Nice  

Folarin Balogun apologized for his mistakes, which cost his team the match, promising to improve.

USMNT star Folarin Balogun breaks silence on two embarrassing penalty miss for Monaco against Nice  

Folarin Balogun (Source: FC Monaco)

Former Arsenal player and USMNT star Folarin Balogun had a horrific start to his football career in France. His nightmare began as he missed two crucial penalties for his new club, AS Monaco. This led to the club’s 0-1 loss to Nice.

Balogun recently joined Monaco for a significant fee of almost £26 million, adding further pressure to his young shoulders. Just 12 minutes into the game, the American was allowed to give his team the lead. However, Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka effortlessly saved his shot.

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After his first save, the goalkeeper seems to have had a psychological advantage over Folarin Balogun. So, he also saved his second shot from the spot in the second half, keeping the score level. The saves proved highly influential for Nice, as they would score an extra-time winner through Jeremie Boga.

Balogun took to social media to express his honest apologies to his fans and teammates, taking responsibility for the loss. His poor performances seem not to affect him, as he is determined to bounce back and quickly contribute to his new team’s success. He is set to face his former club, Arsenal, in an exciting fixture that will be looked upon globally.

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USMNT player Christian Pulisic reveals advice given to him by Thiery Henry

AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic has received some sage wisdom from the legendary Thierry Henry, and it revolves around embracing risk and not shying away from making mistakes. Pulisic’s move from Chelsea to AC Milan in the summer has seen him enjoy a strong start in Italy, contributing with goals and assists during pre-season and making a notable impact in Serie A.

Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry. (Via ESPN)

However, his absence from the starting lineup in Milan’s first Champions League fixture of the 2023-24 season raised questions about his role in the squad. Henry, a World Cup champion with illustrious spells at top clubs like Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, and the New York Red Bulls, stressed the significance of creative players taking calculated risks.

He pointed out that players at prominent clubs often play conservatively, fearing the consequences of losing possession. In contrast, Pulisic performs with more confidence and freedom when representing his national team. To thrive at AC Milan and avoid repeating the challenges he faced at Chelsea, Pulisic must find a balance between creativity and caution. He looks ahead to Milan’s upcoming Serie A match against Verona, where he can put Henry’s advice into practice.

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