Higuain: 'We are not robots'

By Football Italia staff

Gonzalo Higuain apologised for his red card in the Milan defeat and confessed the decision to leave Juventus was made for him. “We are not robots.”

It was a nightmare for Pipita, who had a penalty saved, was booked for a foul, then his furious reaction saw him sent off, dragged away by teammates.

“I have to apologise to my teammates, the Coach, the fans and the referee, who knows what I said to him. At the same time, referees should understand the emotions of the moment,” Higuain told Sky Sport Italia after the 2-0 defeat.

“I reacted that way, I should not have done it, so I apologise to my teammates, the Coach and the fans.

“It was a yellow card, the decision was made, I apologise for the reaction and I take responsibility for it.

“When you play against your old club, obviously it feels different. I take responsibility, I know it mustn’t happen again, but at that moment we were losing and we are not robots. We are human beings, we have emotions.

“I got it wrong, I apologise and I hope it won’t happen again. I am a very emotional person and player, so at times it is difficult to control my sentiments. You can tell just by looking at me what mood I am in.

“I know it’s not a good example to set for children, but we are not robots. I know my reaction was wrong, but the referees also have to realise the situation we are in and be a little more understanding.

“In my case, in particular, as the Coach said, I do take things too much to heart and get too wound up. I know I have to control myself and learn to be calmer.”

Several Juve players spoke to the media afterwards and said they hope Higuain won’t be penalised too heavily for this red card, showing genuine affection.

“I had a great rapport with them, it was pleasing that they came and tried to hold me back, both Juve and Milan players. They know that players have emotions and this game went wrong, above all for me, and I can only apologise.”

Considering he was so well loved by the Bianconeri, why did he leave Turin?

“That’s not a question for me. I played for Juventus, everyone knows what I won there and how much I gave to Juventus. The decision was not mine, it was made by others. Milan then showed that they wanted me and I came here.

“I think the reaction of the Juve players tonight proves I was loved there.”

Higuain insisted on taking the penalty against his former teammate Wojciech Szczesny, who saved it.

“Szczesny moved first, that’s why he got it. I thought it was going into the side-netting, it was a great save. Only those who take penalties can miss them, it’s easy to say afterwards that it was wrong.

“I took the responsibility, I felt good about taking it. I think at the end of the day, we’ve got to keep our heads up, because we played well against a very strong Juventus side.”

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