Rui Patricio was fortunate not to cost Wolverhampton Wanderers a goal after making a bizarre error in Thursday’s 4-0 win over Espanyol. The shot-stopper failed to deal with a teammate’s errant clearance and was nearly embarrassed by Facundo Ferreyra.
In the 32nd minute, Raul Jimenez sliced a clearance which somehow found its way to Patricio, but the 32-year-old didn’t pick up the ball and attempted to volley it away instead. He swung and missed, however, and was forced into a last-ditch save to stop Ferreyra finishing from close range.
Near calamity for Rui Patricio as he tries a volleyed clearance, misses the ball and then has to save at point blank range from Facundo Ferreyra.
— matt maher (@mjmarr_star) February 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/Maccabi765THFC/status/1230591164639784961?s=20
https://twitter.com/AD13__/status/1230591143441846273?s=20
Wow… huge let-off for Wolves! Moment of madness from Patricio as he goes to clear the ball on the volley instead of catching it. Ferreyra is unable to punish him. Really should have scored. What a let-off! #wwfc
— Joe Edwards (@JoeEdwards43) February 20, 2020
Rui Patricio was that bored tonight he had to pretend to miss a volley just so he could make an actual save.
— Gingerbeano (@Corey0695) February 20, 2020
Rui Patricio got soo lucky there
— Jhonny 🇭🇹 (@Jhonny_Savage) February 20, 2020
PATRICIO WTF???🤣🤮 #EuropaLeague #wwfc
— Connor McGee (@Connor241298) February 20, 2020
Against Espanyol, Patricio played for 90 minutes, made 27 touches, completed 38.1% of his 21 passes, found a teammate with six of his 19 long balls and made four saves. The Portuguese international has made 37 appearances in all competitions this season, conceding 41 goals and keeping 11 clean sheets.
Despite his error on Thursday, Patricio has now shut out three sides on the bounce – 0-0 draw with Manchester United (February 1), 0-0 draw with Leicester City (February 14), 4-0 win over Espanyol (February 20). He’ll hope to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet when Wolves lock horns with Norwich City on Sunday.
