Sheffield Wednesday star Fernando Forestieri out to avenge Wembley heartache

EVEN allowing for the nerve-shredding drama and undiluted tension that the play-offs have brought over the past 30 seasons, one game stands out. Or, to be more specific, 20 quite extraordinary seconds do.
Fernando Forestieri has helped transform Sheffield Wednesday this seasonFernando Forestieri has helped transform Sheffield Wednesday this season
Fernando Forestieri has helped transform Sheffield Wednesday this season

The venue was Vicarage Road, the two combatants Watford and Leicester City. An already absorbing tie had moved into the seventh minute of stoppage time at the end of the second leg and the aggregate score was locked at 2-2 when the Foxes were awarded a debatable penalty.

Suddenly, Wembley and a big step towards the Premier League beckoned for Leicester. Up stepped Anthony Knockaert, who had won the spotkick, but Manuel Almunia proved his equal.

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The Spaniard then saved the rebound before Watford raced up the other end and Troy Deeney fired past Kasper Schmeichel to send Gianfranco Zola’s men through to the Championship final.

Watford's Troy Deeney (right) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with the scorer of his sides first goal Watford's Fernando ForestieriWatford's Troy Deeney (right) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with the scorer of his sides first goal Watford's Fernando Forestieri
Watford's Troy Deeney (right) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with the scorer of his sides first goal Watford's Fernando Forestieri

Never had there been such a remarkable turnaround in play-off fortunes in such a short space of time and Fernando Forestieri, who provided the cross that Jonathan Hogg cushioned into the path of Deeney, understandably recalls the day vividly.

Brought off the bench by Zola just after the hour mark, the Italian’s emotions swung from despair to pure elation during those 20 seconds. A little under two weeks later, Forestieri and Watford were experiencing the flipside of the play-offs after being beaten in the final by Crystal Palace.

As the Italian prepares to face Hull City in Saturday’s Championship play-off final, Sheffield Wednesday’s top scorer admits his team-mates have to be prepared for every eventuality.

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“Anything can happen in the play-offs,” said the 26-year-old when speaking exclusively to The Yorkshire Post. “I know that from Watford against Leicester a few years ago. We saved the penalty and then scored a goal ourselves. It was amazing, totally crazy.

Watford's Troy Deeney (right) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with the scorer of his sides first goal Watford's Fernando ForestieriWatford's Troy Deeney (right) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with the scorer of his sides first goal Watford's Fernando Forestieri
Watford's Troy Deeney (right) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with the scorer of his sides first goal Watford's Fernando Forestieri

“When I saw that, I realised anything can happen in the play-offs. They are crazy. I have never seen anything like that in my life. We were going to lose and then we were going to Wembley. All in a few seconds.”

The unpredictable nature of the play-offs was evident once again in this year’s Championship semi-finals.

Both the Owls and the Tigers earned significant first leg advantages only to almost blow it in the return.

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“We have to be ready for anything to happen,” added Forestieri. “Look at what happened against Brighton. We were so lucky not to be losing 3-0 in the first half of the second leg.

“After that, we were better. We fought hard and did well in that second half. But it was not a good first half. Now we have to forget that and prepare for the final.”

When Wednesday walk out ahead of Saturday’s all-Yorkshire showdown with Hull, Forestieri will do so determined to bury the memory of the final that followed those remarkable closing stages against Leicester in 2013.

Watford lost 1-0 to Palace, Kevin Phillips having netted the winner from the penalty spot in extra-time. Forestieri came on four minutes before the end of normal time but was unable to add to his eight goals that term.

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This time around, Wednesday’s Italian has 15 to his name, his highest tally in English football. Another at Wembley on Saturday would do very nicely.

“The play-off final is amazing,” he added. “Wembley is amazing. There is so much excitement and there is a lot that can happen to a club. Good things if you win the final.

“There is a lot of money that can be won for the club. But forget the money, if we win we will be in the Premier League and we will have made history as a club. That is what we all want to do.

“We want to make history. There is a lot of pressure to do that. Pressure from us, we want to win promotion.

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“Sheffield Wednesday is a big club. When I saw the stadium had 40,000, it made me proud. This is a big club for the Championship. It should be in the Premier League, for me.

“I am very proud to be at Sheffield Wednesday. It is a great club and I have felt at home from the start. My team-mates are very good and they help me a lot.

“Now, we have an opportunity to make history and we are ready to take that chance.”