Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Marcal made a costly mistake in his side’s loss to Brentford today.
The Brazilian was caught holding Ivan Toney which led to the first penalty.
There was little doubt about the decision, with Marcal clearly holding Toney.
Speaking about Marcal’s holding of Toney, Wolves boss Bruno Lage told BT Sport after the game that he ‘cannot make that mistake’.
When asked about the penalty, Lage said on BT Sport 1 (2:50pm, September 18, 2021) : “We started in a good way, trying to control the game and creating chances.
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“But then, I think it is the moment when it changed the game, the silly penalty, we cannot do that mistake.”
Toney converted the penalty, and Wolves never recovered, going on to lose the game 2-0.
Marcal departed for Daniel Podence in the second half to cap off a disappointing afternoon.
Time for Ait-Nouri to start?
Eyebrows were raised when Lage made the decision to start Marcal in the Premier League this season.
The left back, who signed from Lyon in 2020, struggled with injury issues during his first season.
Due to his and Jonny Castro Otto’s injury problems, young left back Rayan Ait-Nouri became a favourite under ex-boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
This season, Ait-Nouri has only started against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao cup. However, after Marcal’s mistake, it might be safer to give Ait-Nouri another go.
Meanwhile, Marcal has started every league game for Wolves. He has generally impressed and was involved in his team’s second goal against Watford last week.
Marcal struggled to create any chances for Wolves at the other end today.
It seems likely that Ait-Nouri might get some game time this week with Wolves playing their next match in the Carabao cup versus Tottenham Hotspur.
Marcal will need to improve on today’s performance if he is going to continue to start for this Wolves team.