Although i disagree with v1rtu4l's argumentation, that nay non football expert, or professional footballer shouldnt have any opinion and judge Mellberg on this.
A line of argumentations that contradicts his presence/efforts here and the very existence of this forum.
I do have to agree with his argument that Mellberg couldnt possibly prevent Gila to shoot from there!
Mellberg simply couldnt react fast enough, his speed and response time wouldnt allows that!
He is not that fast and despite him precise to his interventions, he seriously lacks smth that other exp CBs have, esp at his age. And thats what i call tactical awareness of the situation.
That includes many things and its smth you have, or not.
This is smth Chiellini has, Legro hadnt but has grown to learn after his 30s,
but Grygera, Molinaro and Mellberg simply havent.
And thats what i said what i first saw him playing with our jersey, what i said when i saw him with his NT, thats what i said at the pre season matches.
And this is what i see at the first "official" matches of the season.
Up until now, i hoped that Mellberg is better than that and he only need more time to adapt, because this certain position needs more adaptation time than any other position on the field, if you ask me.
When i quoted my self and Jack and Ahmed made a pathetic attempt to lough of at my, o was qouting the signs i saw before and the deeds we saw right then!
Mellberg is a decent tool, but he is by no means a man to lead our defense,
he is a player that always performs at a certain level, doing his duty, nothing more and nothing less, he cant lead a defense, unlike Legro, he has not the courage to draw back and play as the last line of defense, because he has no tactical awareness, he can not "see" the dangers before it shapes right upfront his eyes.
He is not a player to make a blatant mistake or a miracle save, he is a typical, average quality (for this level) CB.
So, the goal was not his mistake, a "gifted" defender, with some vision could possibly find his way into a place able to stop Gila, positioning his body at the right time and at the right moment, from there he might have more chances to intercept that ball, but from Mellberg's position, he would have as many chances as Mellberg...