Wednesday games of 2023-24 UEFA Champions League Matchday 1, referee assignments.
18:45 CET - Istanbul (Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi)
Galatasaray SK (TUR) - FC København (DEN) | Group A
Referee: Georgi Kabakov (BUL)
Assistant Referee 1: Martin Margaritov (BUL)
Assistant Referee 2: Diyan Valkov(BUL)
Fourth Official: Georgi Ginchev (BUL)
Video Assistant Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dragomir Draganov (BUL)
UEFA Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine (NIR)
UEFA Delegate: Emil Ubias (CZE)
18:45 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) - 1. FC Union Berlin (GER) | Group C
Referee: Espen Eskås (NOR)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan (NOR)
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Bashevkin (NOR)
Fourth Official: Kristoffer Hagenes (NOR)
Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins (POR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Mark Evans (WAL)
21:00 CET - Munich (Fußball Arena)
FC Bayern München (GER) - Manchester United FC (ENG)| Group A
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi (SWE)
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderqvist (SWE)
Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck (SWE)
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Hernández (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Lucílio Cardoso Cortez Batista (POR)
UEFA Delegate: Jovan Šurbatović (SRB)
21:00 CET - Seville (Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán)
Sevilla FC (ESP) - RC Lens (FRA) | Group B
Referee: Tobias Stieler (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch (GER)
Fourth Official: Martin Petersen (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazović (SVN)
UEFA Referee Observer: Dejan Filipović (SRB)
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaak (LUX)
21:00 CET - London (Arsenal Stadium)
Arsenal FC (ENG) - PSV (NED) | Group B
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Stefan Lupp (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Eduard Beitinger (GER)
Fourth Official: Sven Jablonski (GER)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
UEFA Referee Observer: Alexandru Deaconu (ROU)
UEFA Delegate: Danilo Filacchione (ITA)
21:00 CET - Braga (Estádio Municipal de Braga)
SC Braga (POR) - SSC Napoli (ITA) | Group C
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Erwin E. J. Zeinstra (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Johan Balder (NED)
Fourth Official: Marc Nagtegaal (NED)
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler (NED)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen (NOR)
UEFA Delegate: Paul Lyon (GIB)
21:00 CET - Donostia-San Sebastián (Estadio Municipal de Anoeta)
Real Sociedad de Fútbl (ESP) - FC Internazionale (ITA) | Group D
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Cook (ENG)
Fourth Official: Andrew Madley (ENG)
Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell (ENG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski (POL)
UEFA Delegate: Eugène Westerink (NED)
21:00 CET - Lisbon (Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica)
SL Benfica (POR) - RB Salzburg (AUT) | Group D
Referee: Halil Umut Meler (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Mustafa Emre Eyisoy (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Kerem Ersoy (TUR)
Fourth Official: Arda Kardeşler (TUR)
Video Assistant Referee: Alper Ulusoy (TUR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulkadir Bitigen (TUR)
UEFA Referee Observer: William Young (SCO)
UEFA Delegate: Paul Daniel Zaharia (ROU)
What a game for Nyberg!
ReplyDeleteNyberg: BOOM :)
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible to see Nyberg's progress in the last 2 years...If this guy does things right, we will have another Swedish referee at the top of world refereeing
DeleteHigler is VAR and Dieperink AVAR
ReplyDeleteBig game for Nyberg. Normally german vs english teams are not that much of a challenge but in Munich there is a lot of pressure already. And United is in good shape. Could therefore be a challenging game for the Swedish.
ReplyDeleteMan United certainly are not in good shape. Won two games all season, both relied on referee errors
DeleteOliver, Gil Manzano and Vincic the only ‘top’ elites appointed
ReplyDeleteand Zwayer
DeleteUECL Wed game Lille-Olimpija Ljubljana:
ReplyDeleteJoey Kooij (NED)
Joost van Zuilen
Roy De Nas
Jannick Van Der Laan
VAR: Edwin Van De Graaf
AVAR: Laurens Gerrets
Honestly, I had to google the name, I have never heard about this referee, a bit curious about the reasoning about this choice for the 1st GS game of the competition.
Im from the netherlands and Joey Kooij is a terrible referee. He never deserved a FIFA badge…
DeleteThis should be an easy win for Lille. No worries about Joey Kooij.
DeleteRegarding Kooij, the most heard criticism by Dutch people is that he’s too arrogant. That is basically the same thing that was said about Björn Kuipers when he just started. Or Gozubuyuk.
The Dutch always prefer lenient, background-minded referees with a humble body language.
I strongly believe, Kooij’s confidence and mature appearance will help him a lot on the international stages.
That's right indeed. I am from the Netherlands myself and there is commentary on every referee for the fans, they are all bad when they whistle for their club... Joey Kooij certainly has the potential to have a great international career. Same for Sander van der Eijk, also a winner.
DeleteAt this point it's not even not liking Kooij, it's just a hate campaign. Is he the best Dutch referee we currently have? No, but he's also not the worst. One wrong decision in the 12th minute and he's already trending on social media, he will probably have to deal with a negative image for his entire career I'm afraid. Btw, Nijhuis has a lot of fans, so the background-minded, humble body language isn't the best description either...
DeleteIt is definately no hate campaign imo. All the matches he refs are Just not at the required level imo. Always at least 1 OFR. Add up his cocky body language and the fact that mr. F. De Boer is his father in law and you get the one and only reason why Kooij is still there. Vd Eijk and Higler also werent that good when they started, but they somehow got better. Kooij doesnt imo. He only gets worse
DeleteWhat kind of treatment is Makkelie getting as an Elite referee...? No CL play-off, no match during EC qualification, no CL MD1 match. Not even friendly Scotland-England or Germany-France (which went to Taylor, who also had a EC qualifier few days earlier). Only 4 games since WC 2022 for him. Very surprising imo.
ReplyDeleteI know why he missed the UCL play-off and believe me: nothing to worry about. He just wasn’t available on 29-30 August for good reasons. It has nothing to do with a UEFA treatment.
DeleteWhy are some people getting upset by this .
DeleteHim not getting a game .
He can not get all the games.
He is not the only referee Uefa have .
I am not upset, it was just an observation :) Most UEFA Elites that were at the World Cup have had 6 or 7 appointments since then. I was just trying to make a comparison with the other Elites.
DeleteI haven't watched Kabakov's matches for quite a while, did he recover from Wolfsburg vs Sevilla and Midtjylland vs Young Boys f*ck ups? Could be a very challenging match in Istanbul.
ReplyDeleteYes, he recovered very well. Good games like Ukraine - England recently and UEL last season .
DeleteI am not that much surprised about the Bayern - ManU appointment: Someone mentioned last week that Andreas Ekberg asked for an international break. I always have EURO 2024 in mind where probably 18 referees will be required. I think UEFA will appreciate to test some guys like Eskås and Nyberg with regard to that tournament in order to have a pool of referees from as many different countries as possible. Given that EURO 2024 will be played with 6 groups (so that the first three teams can advance to the KO stage) there will hardly be any "meaningless" games. UEFA therefore will have to appoint also "newcomers" for important matches (and should test them now at "appropriate" games).
ReplyDeleteMichael Oliver 🔥👌 the only referee I trust from England 🏴
ReplyDeleteNyberg is not a surprising appointment at all. Matchday 1 allows the Refcom to make such an appointment and the observer name (Batista) already indicated a young Elite tbh. My prediction was Letexier, but after seeing no French VMO’s on Tuesday…
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for Ekberg though :/
Interesting to see Chefren comment about Kabakov after UKRENG, is it normal or indication for progression for him?
ReplyDeleteTo underline it’s full Bulgarian crew
DeleteThe appointment for this game was made before Ukraine - England (9 September), but apart from that I must admit that in case of negative performance for committee, he wouldn't have got CL game. So I think that the performance by Bulgarian in UKR - ENG was OK for committee, nevertheless I didn't like it because he didn't show a full control of the events. No crucial mistakes and maybe that's the important thing at the end. More generally, I think that committee is trying to give another chance to him also because they need more referees to handle certain games (see the assignment of Stieler in CL, quite similar in my opinion). So now it's up to him with goo games to continue on this path, but I think time is needed before thinking again about a possible promotion.
DeleteThat's what I see.
The observer in Istanbul is a regular one for experienced Elite / Category 1, so this at moment wouldn't indicate more for the Bulgarian.
To add, full Bulgarian crew and indeed I think VAR are at stadium, and this should be only game of this set with such appointment.
DeleteWhy do you think that would be the only game of this set? I feel that given the UEFA's push for expanding the referees pool and the fact that the best brigades on the tour are from the same country, another full set would be welcomed. If Kabakov gets another game on this level this group stage, I don't see any reason why they would change the VARs.
DeleteI think you didn't understand what I wanted to say, just that among these 8 games of Wednesday, this one is maybe the only with VAR at stadium... nothing else.
DeleteAh, ok. Yes, I misunderstood you. The Barcelona game has the VAR team onsite as well.
DeleteAny idea if Dan Cook is here to stay as Oliver AR2? What happened between him and Bennett?
ReplyDeleteI think Cook is now Oliver’s AR2 for the foreseeable future. Since the last months of the previous season Bennett hasn’t worked with Oliver. Not sure why.
DeleteMarciniak saved for Newcastle-PSG (MD2)? :)
ReplyDeleteRemember this season will be crucial in order to select the referees for EURO 2024 next summer.
ReplyDeleteIMO unless there are injuries or other unexpected circumstances I have 10 names that in theory should be 100% in: Turpin, Marciniak, Orsato, Gil Manzano, Makkelie, Kovács, Vincic, Taylor, Oliver & Zwayer), plus 7-8 (?) spots for the rest to compete for (Sánchez Martínez, Soares Dias, Nyberg, Meler, Letexier, Gozubuyuk, Schärer, Massa, Siebert, Stieler, Peljto), assuming that one spot will be reserved for a Conmebol guest.
At least this time, don't think UEFA/Rosetti will have to select some First Cat referees due to an extremely limited amount of trusted Elite referees...
Also, there should be a UEFA referee in 2024 Copa América too, the 'predictable' options would be Hernández Hernández (if UEFA wants to repeat the strategy of sending the Spanish #3 referee), Massa (in case he's not selected for EURO) or even Pinheiro (was actually invited to U20 Conmebol championship, but at the end was replaced by Nobre), however this Copa América will feature six CONCACAF teams (i.e. probably USA & Canada among them), so it could provide an opportunity for finally breaking the trend of only sending referees from 'Latin' countries - so far only Spanish, Italian and Portuguese referees have taken part in these exchanges for language reasons.
What do you think?
Re officials for Euro24, I would be surprised if it was all men. I think Frappart would be in as I think she's the only Men's First cat referee, then maybe 1-2 more women?
DeleteIt is possible that UEFA will again select 5 or 6 referees from the first category to act as support match officials.
DeleteI would not exclude the option that a (current) first category referees (who could be promoted to Elite in January) could be appointed for EURO 2024. Let's assume that - for example - Schärer might suffer longer from his injury (in Switzerland, he was already active this season but only until 12/08/2023) or that other prospective candidates will performe under par. In this case we could also face a surprise like Siebert last time. Guys like Eskås in a big stadium like Santiago Bernabéu could also be appointed for such UCL matches in order to gain experience in front of larger crowds. If not appointed as head referees, they could "at least" act as fourth officials there.
Delete@Daniel Bailey: I wonder why ladies like Esther Staubli are not appointed in men's competetions: I know: Frappart is a (men's) category 1 referee and Monzul a (men's) category 2 referee. But I do not understand why UEFA has not the same trust in Staubli (to mention only one of the other reliable ladies). Are those ladies not fit enough? If so: Are they really not fit enough to get at least appointed for a Conference League match?
DeleteWhat of Johanovic @Quilava
Delete@Anonymous
DeleteOfc I still think Jovanović is a candidate, he will have the chance to regain UEFA's trust after his poor perfomance in ENGITA.
I'm 99% sure that either Letexier or Turpin will go to the Copa America. It is very likely that UEFA will send Frappart to the EURO's, and they cannot send 3 French referees, so one of them will have to go to the Copa America (same strategy used for Spanish referees at the previous EURO's). If UEFA expect France to go very far in the tournament, they might send Turpin (and get a very experienced name like Sampaio or Tello back, so we could see the exchange ref in a quarter- or semi-final)
Delete@Peter Staubli has officiated in the top mens Swiss league for many years. Personally, I would go with her and Foster as two referees who 'deserve more'
Delete@Daniel Bailey: That's also my point of view - but their rankings at the "men's list" speak another language. Personally, I have the impression that FIFA/UEFA currently extremely push Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi who will handle the sonorous British derby England - Scotland on Friday.
Delete@Quilava You didn't mentioned Kruzliak and Grinfeeld. No chances for them from your point of view?
DeleteI think at the moment clear that Kruzliak ahead from Schaerer, Grinfeeld with Israeli full crew also has the chance.
DeleteWithout Marciniak, Makkelie, Taylor, Turpin, Letexier, Orsato, Kovacs and Jovanovic. Most likely we will see them at UEL on Thursday or have them for MD2, I think we will see some names on Thursday, if not all.
ReplyDeleteWho do you think will be the next names to debut in UCL? I think of Strukan, Lambrechts, Osmers and Al-Hakim
ReplyDeleteAl Hakim? Are you kidding me? Sweden already have Ekberg and Nyberg and then Al Hakim simply not at the level of both mentioned before, IMO he is very poor referee, you can see him in Euro U21, also he’s already 38, even with abolished of retiring age I can’t see his chance to become solid cat.1 or imagine his debut in UCL, I could be wrong but if he get, it would be really undeserved than the rest of the names you mentioned that more reasonable and I agree they will get UCL debut soon or later.
DeleteSpecific information on Erik Lambrechts (BEL). He was designated for a UCL match but has been replaced due to injury.
ReplyDeleteAs for Lawrence Visser, he had already been designated for a UEL match (Ranger FC - Real Betis), so this is not a replacement.
In conclusion, for UEFA, Erik is the new N°1.
Let's hope Visser puts in a good performance in the UEL to get his chance again in the UCL.
Early YC for SPA by Eskas after 30 seconds.
ReplyDeleteNow IMO missed foul and YC for a stamp on Modric, I think his vision was obstructed by an Union Berlin player
ReplyDeleteKabakov not disasterous by any means but too much influenced by home crowd, for ex clear foul on FCK player Achouri not whistled.
ReplyDeleteFor some aspects, similar to Ukraine - England (again, it is just my opinion), but today definitely better.
DeleteI try to describe what I perceive watching him: he doesn't give me the idea that he has decided for a situation, looks like an unsure body language allows too much by players on the pitch. Should appear more confident and sure about his decisions. So far no particular issues, we will see second half.
73': Kabakov with a second YC after advantage, I think he had forgotten that player was already booked because it wasn't an obvious goal scoring opportunity. There was the risk that sent off player would have touched the ball again before the notification of referee...
ReplyDeleteHere: https://streamin.me/v/b8551b06
DeleteNo replay in this video, but the foul itself looked even close to straight RC.
Certainly not a red but a clear yc, good decision
DeleteVery good decision. Good by the Bulgarian.
DeleteKulbakov gives second yellow card to a Copenhagen player now. I dont know if this is a clear second yellow . Hot game in Istanbul as always
ReplyDeleteKabakov, not Kulbakov.
DeleteFoul was very close to RC, a cynical challenge...
Kabakov sorry
DeleteEskas foul detection amazing!
ReplyDeleteAt the end the major decisions by Kabakov were spot on.
ReplyDeletePositive points: application of guidelines by committee, very strict in punishing protests and time wasting (indeed this was reason for the first YC of the player who then was sent off).
Nevertheless, I have still some doubts about how he manages the things. Second YC given after advantage was a risk, game should have been stopped immediately. Also, showing more confidence while taking a decision and a strong body language would help in appearing solid under the eyes of the players, selling decisions.
Basically good skills, but after this game there are still several things to be reviewed. We will see the next appointment for him... for sure now he seems in a better form than the past, when poor performances cost the missed promotion to Elite Category, but committe should still definitely work more on him before big plans...
Kabakov (like Bastien) has such a magnet for weird incidents/KMIs :D, fortunately IMO he got this one spot on.
ReplyDeleteCorrect PK + YC for the goalkeeper by Meler in Lisbon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a crazy game in Lisbon, now another PK for Salzburg+ RC for DOGSO handball.
ReplyDeleteFirst penalty by Umut Meler, YC for reckless to keeper: https://streamin.me/v/8c493e30
ReplyDeleteSecond, RC for DOGSO: https://streamin.me/v/8eb0291c
Excellent start by the Turkish.
I like Meler's body language and his way to communicate. Always clear, friendly but assertive, explaining a lot, not bossy, not arrogant.
DeleteIn Braga interesting Spa/Dogso situation just outside the Napoli penalty area. A push was correctly punished and a Yc given (19.)
ReplyDeleteNow Ofr after an incorrectly awarded penalty to Napoli, actually it’s the attacker fouling the defender. Penalty correctly withdrawn (34.)
DeleteStrong arguments for DOGSO in 19': The other defenders seemed too far to intervene - and it looked quite likely, that the attacker could have controlled the ball without the foul.
DeletePenalty by Gozubuyuk after a very good delayed whistle, but OFR because it was rather attacker going against defender. Easy to be deceived, I agree with the Dutch VAR. Gozubuyuk managed quite well on the pitch.
ReplyDeleteHow about the Germans? I guess it's good since no one talks about them
ReplyDelete52' Penalty to Bayern, handball. Slightly surprised, given the new directives, but always difficult to know what to expect. What is clear, is never a penalty in English football
ReplyDeletePenalty to Bayern. Its the sort of handball that is probably correct but for me incredibly harsh on the defender
ReplyDeletePenalty claim for Sociedad. Poddiblr reckless arm. Hugely exaggerated by the attacker
ReplyDeleteDebatable handball penalty for Bayern after OFR. No changes compared to last season. Why does UEFA say they want to punish clear handballs, unnatural movements if this approach does not even survive the first MD?
ReplyDeleteI guess, the arm in that position is still unnatural for them, because it is raised above hip level without specific reason.
DeleteI understand the arguments, but once again, the arm position is in line with the player‘s natural body movement. Arm did not go in the direction of the ball, player tried to take away his arm. I would understand NO INTERVENTION if Nyberg had whistled the penalty immediately. Considering UEFA‘s approach in respect to VAR intervention, it is more than doubtful to intervene here.
DeleteNyberg weak referee
ReplyDeleteHere the penalty after OFR by Nyberg:
ReplyDeletehttps://dubz.co/c/5f6353
To me a very clear penalty, and in Italy would be a scandal to play on after this one (I use this word just to describe the situation...).
Arm not in a natural position and also a movement. Can't find reasons for play on.
Expected penalty according to how referees misinterpret the laws of the game. The word unnatural is completely misunderstood. Of course that's natural. There is no reason for a player to play in an unnatural manner there. It's just that he makes himself bigger. But is it unnaturally bigger? Absolutely not. Change the laws of the game to ''Making yourself bigger with the arm'' and forget if it's unnatural or not.
Delete@ VG - or it should read "natural unless making the body bigger"?
DeleteWow, IMO shocking VAR intervention and NO RC after OFR by Oliver. VC by Barella…
ReplyDeleteLooks like Oliver lost his UEFA badge
DeleteHe did not want to loosen his foot, there is a clear kick against his opponent, immediately whistled by Oliver. No plan how you can intervene here… The old Stuart Attwell?
DeleteThat's clearly an incorrect red card. The opponent locked his shoe and he tried to get loose. No studs or anything hit him. It was nothing but simulation.
DeleteHis foot got completely tangled between the legs of the Sociedad player, it was never intentional. I don't see any reason to support VC here, good intervention
DeleteOf course, his foot got completely tangled, but how do you loosen your foot? You try to make a "forward movement" and not a kick or whatsoever. What Barella does is a clear kick "backwards" against his opponent‘s body. Sorry, for me it‘s a shocking decision.
DeleteRed card given by Oliver on field is overturned after OFR. Really good intervention for me. Completely understaable decision by Oliver but imo the replay shows the Sociedad player twisting his legs and the Inter players leg goes with it. Any kicking motion was an attempt to free his leg
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion just not clear, whether there were any bad intentions or not.
DeleteAs we can see by the comments of you and Ref_1707, one can indeed have quite different interpretations.
But this means, that the VAR intervention was incorrect, because Oliver's first interpretation wasn't clearly wrong.
Video: https://streamin.me/v/1c7136ee
DeleteIn my opinion Philipp is right and this should be a wrong, I would say "Premier League intervention", by Attwell.
The only key for reading situation is whether player did that deliberately or not, and I think there aren't clear elements for being sure about one of the two, so initial decision by Oliver, who was close, wasn't clear and obvious mistake.
A VAR from another country and not England, I'm 100% sure, wouldn't have intervened here.
I agree with Ecosse, understandable that it first looked a red, but one angle looks clear that his leg is just trapped between the players legs, so an expected and good intervention by Attwell. The surrounding of Oliver by the players could have led to more cautions however
DeleteLet's just focus on Oliver's call and not Atwell's. Isn't a red card with no (in your own words) "clear elements" of a deliberate violent conduct a mistake? We should judge the referee's reading of the episode before talking about VAR's intervention, shouldn't we?
DeleteYes, and in my opinion Oliver's reading was supportable twice:
DeleteLive, he evaluated the action as a deliberate kick - and this idea can't be dismissed, because the kick existed. And VC often requires an element of interpretation by the referee regarding the intent, because one can't read the player's mind.
And in the OFR, he wasn't convinced about the intention anymore, so he decided, that it is not clear enough for a RC, which is also understandable.
So for Chefren and me a mistake by Attwell, but none by Oliver.
DeleteFor many others a clear mistake by Oliver (live), but none by Attwell.
And for Ref_1707 a mistake by Attwell and a mistake by Oliver (during the OFR).
"Supportable" is a sort of passepartout used to justify any given decision but you can't have it both ways: he can't be right if he dishes out a red card and be still right if he changes his mind. IMO he misjudged it at first sight (no big deal, anyone can make mistakes) and rightfully corrected his decision when given the opportunity to do so.
DeleteIMO correct intervention in San Sebastián, the gesture was deceiving into a VC stamp but Barella was just trying to get his leg loose after being tangled
ReplyDeleteOn the negative side, Oliver was in such a rush he forgot to do the TV box gesture.
My argument is that you can't be sure that Inter player couldn't have easily removed the that and instead he did the movement between opponent's legs deliberately. A 100% is impossible to say, given the footage. But the RC appears harsh indeed, and maybe this was enough for Attwell to intervene, not the same for another VAR, I think, and not correct strictly to protocol.
DeleteAlso,it was Barella and we all know how hot headed he can be.
DeleteSo his repuation there did not help him.
We were used to see excellent calls by Kuipers's assistant referees in the past. Tonight Erwin E. J. Zeinstra was simply perfect. Two very tight onsides before 0-1 and 1-1 and he was spot on both times. Even VAR took more than a while to confirm both goals. Exceptional.
ReplyDeleteMissed 2nd YC in Sevilla vs Lens,clear grab and SPA by Gudelj.
ReplyDeleteJust a few words about today's matches.
ReplyDelete- Kabakov: all major incidents were correctly assessed even if, as Chefren said, I have the impression he still has to improve to become what it's called a "safe pair of hands" who can handle even tougher matches than the one of tonight in Turkey (which anyway was in front of 60000 people and we know the atmosphere in Turkey)
- Eskas: excellent foul detection and player management, sometimes using smiling. With the yellow card after 30 sec he put the match in is pocket and everything went good in front of Rizzoli.
- Zwayer: an easy-going match, but we can underline a totally recovered referee, physically excellent and very good also in match control, with cautions correctly issued. Tougher match expected.
- Meler: Excellent start by the Turkish who had to take 2+1 important decisions in the first 15 mins. Both were spot one: the first penalty is a clear foul by the goalkeeper, the second one a clear DOGSO. Nothing more to underline.
- Nyberg: I like him a lot, but even if the missed penalty was not easy to spot because the arm was "hidden", in sense that maybe he did not have a clear visual on the incident, it will be assessed as an avoidable mistake. Correct job by van Boekel.
- Gozubuyuk: We had a grey area about a possible DOGSO around 20', IMO YC is still supportable. Then OFR to overturn a penalty correctly overturned because Osimhen committed a foul on the defender. Some warnings and then YC for dissent (Osimhen) in confirmation that these are new guidelines.
- Oliver: couldn't see the match entirely, but classic good job with the episode of red card which will not be 100% black or 100% for everyone.
- Stieler: I still saw some problems in match control. Even if all the cautions he gave were singularly correct, maybe he could have avoided something with prevention and good warnings.
Thanks for this interesting recap.
DeleteFor Gozubuyuk a second half, full of cards, but still a decent job, I think. Zeinstra, simply said, the excellence. Hope he will continue for a very long time...
Understand why referee gave penalty and very difficult to see referee
DeleteGood match by Serdar Gözübüyük
Unusual to see Gozubuyuk with that number of cards,usually his matches are low numbers but this time game demanded plenty YC's.
DeleteEskas winked at the end of Real Madrid - Union Berlin, there is a video on twitter. Do you know why he did that? In my opinion it should have been avoided in all cases, with a late goal scored by a team, and immediately after that the final whistle. We can be sure he was genuine, according also to his style, but there are always people with bad thinking...
ReplyDeleteThis has always been his style as far as I'm concered, I've rarely seen him without a smile on his face :) I think it get's appreciated by the players to see a referee that is passionate about his job and not just purely a law enforcer, but it can also lead to speculations etc. on social media, so probably best as you said to avoid that
Deletehttps://twitter.com/PavelFdez/status/1704568461500772610
DeleteMaybe he was just happy to have finished the game. With a good performance, I think. Maybe he was proud to have officiated this match, full of suspense. This wink doesn't mean anything negative.
DeleteBraga - Napoli, SPA or DOGSO:
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/y3u0fg
I think SPA is better decision, there is another defender who can maybe change his path and intervene. Not a clear RC, but I think such decision wouldn't have been questioned by VAR.
IMO clear DOGSO, there is no way that either of defenders could do anything to stop the attacker as they are far away from the ball and stationary (the left one) and moving backwards (the right one).
DeleteIMO YC, correct decision by Gözübüyük
DeleteGözübüyük needs to do something about his routine to show the YC... Fumbling like that doesn´t look like Elite category to me....
DeleteDid Mr. Nyberg, the referee, lose his mind yesterday? Because I have a hunch that he was fed up with the home atmosphere in Munich.
ReplyDeleteNyberg had an easy game with full control and no focus or delay on the VAR situation. I am certain that the committee was more than happy.
ReplyDelete