Strangest own goal of the season, and perhaps in Europa League history, may already belong to Chelsea loanee Malang Sarr.
After a struggling campaign at the Blues last season, the Frenchman was sent on loan to Monaco at the start of the season. While he did enjoy some bright moments under Thomas Tuchel last season, Sarr never really convinced the German he was Chelsea material.
Since signing from Nice in 2020, Sarr has spent more time on loan at Porto and Monaco than he has at the west Londoners. Unfortunately, the only attention he will be receiving from Graham Potter over the next couple of days will not be good, as he was the unfortunate goalscorer of a comical own goal.
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(Image: Twitter/btsportfootball)
Monaco were hammered 4-0 by Trabzonspor during a vital group match in the Europa League. Unfortunately, Sarr was the player who opened the scoring for the Turkish giants.
When Monaco goalkeeper Alexander Nubel received the ball in his own penalty area, there seemed to be little danger for the French giants. As is often the case, Sarr darted across the penalty area so he could receive a short pass from the Bayern Munich goalkeeper.
Unfortunately, neither Sarr or Nubel looked at each other during the exchange, resulting in Nubel booting the ball straight of Sarr’s backside and into the back of the net. Nubel was evidently trying to play the ball long to one of the full-backs, only for Sarr to be caught in the crossfire.
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One look from either player would have prevented this moment of embarrassment which would have surely enraged Monaco manager Philippe Clement. On the one hand, it would be harsh to label all the blame on Sarr as there is no way on earth he could have moved out the way of the ball.
Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of moment that would see Potter scrambling to have him recalled back to west London. Things only got worse for the Frenchman, as Trabzonspor doubled their lead within three minutes of the second half through Vitor Hugo.
Enis Bardhi added a third nine minutes later, while substitute Trezeguet came off the bench to add a fourth.
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