Pedro Porro probably spoke for us all when he reflected on Dominic Solanke’s cool as you like penalty against Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of our UEFA Europa League semi-final on Thursday night.
Having stroked away a spot-kick under intense pressure in front of Eintracht Frankfurt’s ultras to ultimately win the quarter-final in Germany a fortnight ago, this time the striker set the ball down 12 yards out in front of the South Stand with us leading the first leg 2-0, a crucial moment to take us further ahead after Cuti Romero was fouled by Jens Petter Hauge.
We shouldn’t have worried. Like in Frankfurt, Dominic had it all under control - that steely gaze at goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, two steps and a casual side-foot into the corner, with Haikin planted on his goal line as a wall of white celebrated. That made it 3-0 as we racked up 23 shots to Bodo’s two, but there was a sting in the tail as Ulrik Saltnes responded late for the visitors to leave it 3-1 in our favour going to Norway for next week’s second leg - with a place in the final in Bilbao the prize.
Speaking on our Review Show from pitchside, Pedro was asked if he watched the penalty. “Yes, I watched it... for a semi-final, my heart is like ‘boom, boom, boom, boom’, but Dom, in this moment, he’s incredible, the way he stopped and shot. He stayed so calm. I was always confident for my team-mate.”
Pedro played a key role in our opening goals. He provided the cross headed back by Richarlison for Brennan Johnson to head home after just 37 seconds before a raking long pass from deep into the path of James Maddison, who controlled superbly and slotted home for 2-0 on 34 minutes.
He had words of praise for Madders. “He’s unbelievable, a top player. I have an understanding with him on the pitch, also in training, and when you have confidence in your team-mates, when you have confidence for the players on the pitch, that’s so important. That goal is about the control from Madders. The control is perfect. Yes, the pass is good, but the control is amazing.”
Reflecting on the night overall, Pedro added: “The atmosphere was incredible, and that’s so good for the players. It was the best atmosphere of the season. We thank everyone for their support. It’s so important at this moment, a semi-final - we need the people this week.”