Sadio Mane has insisted the red card he was shown for kicking Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson in the head has only made him more determined to be even quicker.
The quick footballer was sent off in last weekend’s 5-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium but it was widely accepted by fans and pundits his challenge was accidental as he raced through but was beaten to the ball by Ederson charging out of his area to head clear.
“Honestly, I think in the next time I will get the ball before him,” he said.
“My intention was not to hurt the goalkeeper. It was bad and I wish him the recovery to come back healthy.
“I think it was a challenge for the ball. Honestly, I was going for the ball, I didn’t have intention to hurt him because I am not that kind of player so I wish him a quick recovery.
“I made contact and it was not what I wanted to do so I apologised to him. It is part of football so I cannot change anything.
“I don’t have his number so I just posted messages for him. I think he saw them.”
“Honestly, I was focusing more on the goalkeeper than the card so when I saw the red card I was surprised because I was expecting maybe a yellow card. I will accept it and try to forget,” he added.
“It is not easy for me because I always love to play football and to enjoy, especially to help my team to win games.
“But we also have a great team and great qualities and I think the boys can do it [without him].”
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