Not renowned for his insightful takes or analysis, even for Michael Owen, this take on Gianluigi Buffon's red-card is particularly vapid.
Writing in his autobiography The Boy on the Shed, former Newcastle United physio Paul Ferris documented how during the club's relegation-battle in 2008/09, their star-striker Owen absolved himself of first-team duty ahead of a crucial fixture.
Fearful that he felt on the cusp of another injury, Ferris was jointly impressed/furious at Owen's willingness to look after himself first and foremost.
With Buffon's red-card theoretically ruling him out of a Champions League game he will now never likely be in the running to play, Owen opted to look at the positives; at least Buffon won't be missing the semi-final now.
To the bemusement of Rio Ferdinand and (particularly) Steven Gerrard, the concept of the collective is somewhat lost on the former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City forward.
Buffon’s 21 year Champions League career just came to end with a dramatic red card and a loss.
Michael Owen: “at least he doesn’t have to miss the next CL game now.” pic.twitter.com/kXx02jT6LZ— Hassan (@HassanUK01) April 11, 2018
