Korneiev's panenka or a war that ended in decline

On matchday 27 of the 1992-93 season, Espanyol was eighth with 28 points and was just one victory away from the positions of UEFA Cup. With goals mainly from Xavi Escaich and Igor Korneiev, the blue and white team was going to fight for high levels in the last quarter of the championship, but then a negative streak appeared that had as a turning point the match against the Burgos, bottom, a clash that went down in the history of that course with Korneiev as the protagonist. This Wednesday (7:00 p.m., Esport3) the duel is redeemed in the second round of the cup, and the parrots that already comb gray hair will remember a damn match.

After that day 27, Espanyol had four consecutive defeats in a demanding section of the calendar against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, Tenerife and Barcelona. Espanyol's bad streak, which was approaching the relegation promotion zone (six points), should end against Burgos that, with 16 points, had practically sealed its descent. Burgos struck first through the Dutch Michael Boerebach. The parakeets got on the nerves, except for Korneiev, who launched a panenka penalty that was stopped by goalkeeper Agustín Elduayen. A frivolity.

The Russian striker also saw a yellow and the coach Jose Manuel Diaz Novoa replaced it at rest. Lluís he would tie the match with 15 minutes to go, but that blow was hard. Espanyol did not raise its head and lost the six games that remained to finish the championship. And he fell after losing the promotion to him Racing Santander by a 1-0 aggregate, which certified the fourth decline in the club's history.

Crossing of statements: “He has made the figureta”

After that meeting in Burgos, the wounds were evident in the dressing room with the Russian player, a cross of statements between managers, technicians and the player himself. “At the time of taking the penalty, he did the 'figureta'. Lately in away games he seems to be trying to provoke them to expel him. I suppose that the coordinator of the sports area will receive a report from the coach, “said President Francesc Perelló.

And the coach was equally or more forceful in the press room: “His attitude is disrespectful. His performance has left much to be desired. He has missed the penalty and then he looked for the card, provoking. The substitution was mandatory and in its place Escaich has left, which had been heating up for a while … This is the second time this has happened, but there will not be a third, “he commented. Korneiev was three games in a row without participating, in a war that, today, would be inappropriate after a meeting in the open.

The Russian player himself was surprised in the mixed zone after the reactions of the leaders. “For me those words are very unfair. It hurts me that they doubt my professionalism. I have not sought my expulsion. I have always fought for the good of the team. I never like defeat and I never give up a ball for loose. Against Burgos I wanted to win anyway, because my mistake in missing the penalty shot was very serious and I felt indebted to my teammates. I wanted to fix it myself. I'm sorry”.

After so long, and after playing for Barcelona, ​​Feyeenord (where he stood out and was a historical player) or Nac Breda, made the leap to the benches. He was Guus Hiddink's assistant on the Russian team. At present, he is one of the men of confidence of the maximum president of AS Monaco, Dmitri Rybolovlev. In fact, Robert Morneo, the French club's penultimate coach, acknowledged that he met with the former Parakeet player to close his signing. Other times for the Russian and also for Espanyol.