Alejandro Gomez's name was among the names that have been in the media for years as the next Maradona star. Like Maradona, he is short, playing as a forward. The number 10 jersey is also worn on his body. Like Maradona, he is crossing the middle of his career playing for an Italian club. And like ten young Argentines, Gomez was influenced by Maradona. Maybe he learned to kick in football by watching Maradona, he learned to love the game. When the news of the legend's death reached Gomez, what did he think?
With the help of social media, Gomez had no problem knowing the news in his mind. Before taking to the field, Gomez posted on Instagram expressing his affection for Maradona. Wrote, ‘Sleep in peace, Diego. We will miss you a lot. All of us who have always wanted to be like you and wear your famous number 10 jersey will miss you so much. Today football seems to have died with you. You have put smiles on the faces of countless people, given joy. You did not deserve the last days. My condolences to your family and friends. It is a news of great hardship. '
But what power does a sentence made up of just a few words convey Gomez's love for Maradona? So Gomez chose the medium of honoring the beloved legend, which united him with the legend. Atalanta went on to play in the Champions League match against Liverpool last night. Atalanta had to win the match to keep the hopes of the next round alive. The game was again at Liverpool's Anfield. Winning on that field is one of the hardest tasks in football nowadays.
But that was Maradona with Gomez! Perhaps watching from above, what the dear disciple can do to mortals. So Gomez lost to Liverpool. They lost 2-0. Although Gomez did not score a goal, the way he played the whole match, it may seem that there was nothing wrong with calling him the 'new Maradona'. Assisted directly in one of the two goals, gave half a dozen perfect long balls. He wanted to compose an attack by touching the ball 69 times. Without Fon Dyke, Arnold and Robertson, the young Liverpool defender has been in it for 90 minutes. The goal may not have been scored, but the glory of Gomez's performance did not diminish at all. Even at the very last moment of the match, when the substitutes were getting up, the commentators were saying, how wonderful it was that Gomez respected his 'idol'!
Despite losing the match, Liverpool is at the top of their group with 9 points. They will still play two matches against Mitiulan and Ajax in the group stage. If he wins one of the two matches, the next round is guaranteed. Reigning champions Bayern Munich, meanwhile, beat Salzburg 3-1. Porto won 2-0 at Marseille. Atletico drew 0-0 with Locomotive Moscow. Borussia Mকেnchengladbach defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 4-1. Manchester City won 1-0 against Olympiacos.