Wednesday, 2 October 2024

Champions League 2024/25 - Referee Appointments - Matchday 2 (II)

2024-25 UEFA Champions League Matchday 2, second set of games, to be played on 2 October 2024. 


2 October 2024

18:45 CET - Gelsenkirchen (Arena Auf Schalke)
SHAKHTAR DONETSK (UKR) - ATALANTA BC (ITA) 
Referee: João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR 
Fourth Official: João Gonçalves POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER 
UEFA Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL
UEFA Delegate: Frédéric Veraghaenne BEL

18:45 CET - Girona (Estadi Municipal de Montilivi)
GIRONA FC (ESP) - FEYENOORD ROTTERDAM (NED) 
Referee: Urs Schnyder SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Marco Zürcher SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Zürcher SUI
Fourth Official: Sven Wolfensberger SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nejc Kajtazović SVN
UEFA Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras GRE 
UEFA Delegate: Michal Mertinyák SVK

21:00 CET - Liverpool (Anfield) 
LIVERPOOL FC (ENG) - BOLOGNA FC (ITA)
Referee: Nikola Dabanović MNE
Assistant Referee 1: Vladan Todorović MNE
Assistant Referee 2: Srđan Jovanović MNE
Fourth Official: Miloš Bošković MNE
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Andreas Schluchter SUI
UEFA Delegate: Jean Paul Mievis BEL 

21:00 CET - Leipzig (RB Arena) 
RB LEIPZIG (GER) - JUVENTUS (ITA) 
Referee: François Letexier FRA 
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Jérémy Stinat FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Jan W. Wegereef NED
UEFA Delegate: João Morais POR

21:00 CET - Lisbon (Estádio do SL Benfica)
SL BENFICA (POR) - CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (ESP) 
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük NED
Assistant Referee 1: Erwin E. J. Zeinstra NED
Assistant Referee 2: Johan Balder NED
Fourth Official: Richard Wilhelmus Martens NED
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Atkinson ENG
UEFA Delegate: Gerard Lawlor NIR

21:00 CET - Stadion Maksimir (Zagreb) 
GNK DINAMO (CRO) - AS MONACO (FRA) 
Referee: Harm Osmers GER
Assistant Referee 1: Domink Schaal GER
Assistant Referee 2: Stefan Lupp GER
Fourth Official: Florian Exner GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Johann Pfeifer GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers NED
UEFA Delegate: Mirosław Ryszka POL

21:00 CET - Villeneuve d'Ascq (Stade Pierre Mauroy)
LOSC LILLE (FRA) - REAL MADRID CF (ESP) 
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni ITA 
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee:Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: William Young SCO
UEFA Delegate: Angelo Chetcuti MLT 

21:00 CET - Birmingham (Villa Park) 
ASTON VILLA FC (ENG) - FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER)
Referee: Radu Petrescu ROU 
Assistant Referee 1: Radu Ghinguleac ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Mircea Mihail Grigoriu ROU
Fourth Official: Marcel Birsan ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Cătălin Popa ROU
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
UEFA Delegate:Arturs Gaidels LVA 

21:00 CET - Klagenfurt (Wörthersee Stadion)
SK STURM GRAZ (AUT) - CLUB BRUGGE KV (BEL) 
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev AZE
Assistant Referee 1: Zeynal Zeynalov AZE
Assistant Referee 2: Akif Amirali AZE
Fourth Official: Tural Kurbanov AZE
Video Assistant Referee: David Coote ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Stuart Attwell ENG 
UEFA Referee Observer: Itchko Lozev BUL
UEFA Delegate: Anna Bordiugova UKR

94 comments:

  1. For me it's interesting, that still is no Kovacs in CL. Maybe a game in EL, and that could be Porto-Man United? And in other way, I expected Radu Petrescu, but not in Villa vs Bayern Munchen.

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    1. It's indeed particular, with so many games, they don't appoint one of the most trusted referees in CL. Very strange. Also, I think it's no time anymore to talk about EURO, so there should be other reasons behind that. I see that he has been regularly assigned to domestic games, so he is available. To be honest, I would find more logic, at this point, to see him totally out from appointments (failed tests in Nyon?) than to see him only in Europa League. We will know tomorrow.
      Just to say, the game Aston Villa - Bayern could have been easily for him and not Petrescu!

      Delete
    2. Yes, I agree on both points.
      No CL for Kovacs is a surprise and Petrescu gets a quite good game.
      Same for Dabanovic and Mariani, but probably a bit more expected in the latter case.

      Big and probably challenging game for Gözübüyük, could be a good test regarding his future (joining the top referees or remaining a medium Elite).

      Schnyder debut not too surprising, at least he did 2 EL games last season...
      Osmers quite expected after getting the best appointments (e.g. ECL R16) among the referees without CL experience.

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  2. So we have three debuts in CL: Osmers, Dabanovic and Schnyder. The process for the Swiss has been quite accelerated, he had a busy summer in Preliminary rounds, I think basically he can be good referee, but he needs for sure experienced for certain games, it is the same speech as Saggi. Nevertheless, we can also observe that in recent times Swiss federation is getting very important rewards by committee, with important appointments for many officials, including women. If we compare that to a few time ago, when Schaerer was not still a name, well, an outstanding progress (a long time after the retirement of Busacca without any real hope for the future...).
    About Dabanovic, to me he gets CL rather because committee needs more experienced Category 1 referees to officiate in the competition with so many games, than as real achievement by the referee. I mean, they could have made this choice before, when after so many Europa League group stage games, he could have gone to officiate in the most sonorous competition, but of course, better later than nothing. Opportunity reasons by committee behind this debut, but with all the experience he achieved in the years, one can't say it is undeserved, still, he should improve a bit his officiating. The game is a nice one, but clearly appointment made on the big team at home with the favour against a team like Bologna, having the debut, same pattern as Saggi on MD1.
    Osmers was for a long time in doubt whether having a sprint on his career or not, and it looked like committee considered him a quite experienced referee for being Cat. 1 but maybe no more.. now the big step, but again, also because they need that. With the Youth League final and some early achievements, he could do well. We will see.
    Letexier for Juventus, of course another very big name for Italian team in rather challenging game for them... while different treatment for Atalanta against the Ukrainian side. Now, with Soares Dias retirement, surely more focus on Pinheiro, and in my opinion he should be considered before Nobre, the latter still needs experience.
    Another appearance in CL for Aghayev and the reason is not different from the one explained above for the other names (committee not so much interested about the performance, but just giving games to experienced Cat. 1).
    For Petrescu surely a nice one, but as said, one could have easily expected Kovacs there, while I have the feeling that Mariani will be promoted without further committee's observations, and without asking him for more... since he will become "only" the third Italian Elite, surely a minimum number for such a country (and you know how it works...).
    Finally: Gözübüyük. A step ahead for him with this appointment he will have to go very carefully in Lisbon... possible he will face one of the most challenging games of his career. Need to change the style and to be ready for this challenge.

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    Replies
    1. Not a debut, but a return for Dabanovic: He had Bayern-Plzen in 2022.
      But that doesn't change much in your correct assessment. :)

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    2. Cefren don't forget Schaerer became 2015 a Fifa Ref. He has more international experience than e lot of Elite Referees. He is fit and will be in the nearest future a TOP Referee on the planet. Switzerland has a better League than other Countries in the east of Europe. They have 1-3 Referees in Elite, why not Switzerland? Urs Schnyder has the potential, but also the new generation for the first category. The woman Referees from Switzerland are doing a great job, after the brialliant career of Staubli.

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    3. Didn't Roberto Rosetti request the category of the "UEFA Top Planet Referees" above the current Elite Referees, which is to be introduced from 2025, to be kept confidential for the time being?

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    4. Peter I'm sure that you know, that Uefa Referees are not so bad in the planet :-)

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  3. No Kovacs Jovanovic in the first 2 matchdays of the CL.

    Why are Sidiropolous, Grinfeld on the elite list?
    They arent getting as anyone else cl matches, maybe one.

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  4. Expected appointments, glad to see Dabanovic again in CL. Regular observer for him. Maybe comitee,instead of that have some plans with him and Mariani, also with pool of young referees that should be promoted. Osmers with Kuipers in Zagreb, very important test.
    O.T- Very pleased with whit what I saw from Buseqts Ferrer last night.

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    Replies
    1. I think we'll see some cards with them.

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  5. Hre some clips from Guida performance.

    12' DtR after free kick whistled for handball
    https://streambug.org/cv/1112d5
    Stern warning, by referee but very clear and blatant action, YC to be issued, but I think he didn't want to start with cards so early, UEFA would have been happy with card, though.

    15' Goal, possible foul before, player injured
    https://streambug.org/cv/bf708a
    https://streambug.org/cv/43d8be
    The last replay shows the solution, I think strong butregular action by PSV player who gains the ball anticipating the opponent, and staying in his path without invading the other space. Then, opponent, putting leg quite late and getting injuired for that.

    19' Possible YC for holding - SPA?
    https://streambug.org/cv/681b0c
    And maybe one of the gestures (with the whistle) that impressed the commentators :)

    22' Game heated, YC for a late and reckless challenge, also looking quite cynical by PSV player.
    https://streambug.org/cv/6a2152

    23' Players and coach reactions (very blatant) after a whistled foul.
    https://streambug.org/cv/f3c5a7
    Referee tries to manage the situation.

    25' Many fouls by Dutch side already in first half, more than 10 against a few ones of Portuguese side, maybe Sporting player protesting in this occasion for that with referee, management after a foul.
    https://streambug.org/cv/f368ef

    45'+3 Wrong offside call by AR1
    https://streambug.org/cv/f4923e
    It was not the situation shown in the replay, but the previous one, nevertheless still a mistake. Strange bY AR1, very experienced and extremely rare to make such an error, but I think he remained on the original pass (player on offside) missing the other play by teammate, but it was too blatant and referee should maybe even cooperated.
    https://ibb.co/VQ9bQWM

    52' Possible YC reckless
    https://streambug.org/cv/834cc0

    53' YC for handball, SPA, clear recipint of the ball behind
    https://streambug.org/cv/f67d2e
    But when so evident, also LoR would be justified, if you ask me.

    61' Possible YC for reckless
    https://streambug.org/cv/fdbb02

    64' YC for reckless
    https://streambug.org/cv/82e403

    84' YC for holding, management of the restart
    https://streambug.org/cv/9a4f32

    87' YC for dissent, mandatory
    https://streambug.org/cv/addeaa

    Well, definitely not the best performance. One can say no major issues, indeed, but I think Guida in first half entered in a "jungle", without having the chance of coming out in time for keeping a better control (or maybe, management) of the game. He was rather lenient, should have faced the many fouls in first half definitely with a different approach. The game by itserlf started clearly already heated and it was never, since the beginning, a fair one. This contributed to the issues he experienced. With a totally different approach, this game would have ended with definitely many and many cards and maybe also sending offs. I think one can't say this was a poor performance but surely one can expect more by an Elite referee.

    OT, Bonus Clip.Never saw something like that!
    When you think: "What should happen to deny this obvious goal scoring opportunity?"..... well, take a look...
    https://streambug.org/cv/addeaa

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  6. Not an easy game for Schnyder. Started with an early YC, a minute later another possible booking, and players already protesting for that.

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    1. Also much protest from Girona for a foul prior the 1-1 and a correct penalty given. Will be a interesting 2nd half

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    2. 59 possible missed rc for tackle by FEY #16

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  7. Now, 66', the penalty call for Girona can be easily assessed as correct, but tell me what keeper should do, while trying to make the save. Attacker literally putting himself there to get the contact... this is correct according to book but fully against the fair play...

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    1. Come on ... No penalty.

      Don't protect them.
      This is a foul and the VAR has to correct him.

      Not a good first cl match fir Schnyder

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  8. Sorry Cheren, but I dont agree. Off course there is contact, but the attacker was already falling before the contact. What can the keeper do else? I understand that referee whistles a penalty, but I think VAR had tot correct him.

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  9. Here the very controversial penalty call by the Swiss referee.
    https://dubz.co/c/44b998
    To me, VAR must support because the contact by keeper can't be denied, nevertheless a call definitely against the common sense, and a penalty one should never like to whistle (my opinion).

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    Replies
    1. Then UEFA should not only call those penalties, where the attacker's fall is not caused by the defender's action, "soft", but clearly wrong, so that VARs can intervene...

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  10. VAR check for a possible hanbdall 10 seconds after the end of added time, it seems as the Swiss explained that ball had hit another part of the body before, however they solved a so challenging and crucial situation in a very short time, I think this woudln't have been the same, definitely, with an Italian VAR. Also, Spanish side could have something to say against the call...

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  11. Late penalty appeal in 90+5' waved away by Schnyder, imo correctly since it comes from the touch off the foot and the arm is in natural position. correct me if wrong, but I think never var stuff

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arm fully open, in case punishable handball.
      All is about previous touch: deflection or deliberate play?
      https://dubz.co/c/85bcbe

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    2. well, based on considerations: it comes from a short distance, having to control a ball out of the air, under pressure in his own penalty area. A lot of grey area involved here. If the FEY player's touch hypothetically went to GIR player in an offside position, would we consider it deliberate play?

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    3. Arm is not moving towards the ball and the player's intention clearly is to control it with his foot. Therefore no handball is correct IMO.
      And I think, no deliberate play regarding offside, because it is too difficult to make a controlled action here.

      Delete
  12. Incredibly heavy pitch in Zagreb

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  13. Missed DOGSO in Aston Villa vs Bayern? I think Watkins was brought down by Bayern defender

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    Replies
    1. Never a foul, Watkins kicked the back of his own leg and went down because of that

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    2. Indeed he kicked the back of his own leg, that's why no VAR intervention, but why did he kick himself? Wasn't it because of the first push by Bayern player? 🤔

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    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. Aston Villa goal ruled out by VAR for offside

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    1. rather obvious missed offside, lack of concentration by the ar1

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    2. A lot of bodies in there but was pretty clearly offside

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    3. The offside was huge, at this level it is obviously an unacceptable miss, difficult to find explanations other than lack of concentration. But the good news is that R. Petrescu is doing well so far.

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    4. https://streamff.com/v/286931e1
      Following a free kick, assistant referee must have always the focus because the game is stopped before, and he should be mentally ready to read all positions. Two players in a very clear offside, a mistake that can't be seen in CL.

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  15. (Liverpool Bologna) Odd watching DtR being so blatently tolerated, whereas very strict on use of arms when used to English football which is very much the opposite! Unconvinced 26' YC was necessary (although probably expected with Uefa, I'm never that sure as PL refs rarely give a YC for similar), but the failure to retreat at 34' had to be punished

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  16. How is it possible that this wasn't penalty for Juventus in 37 min? Clear foul on Vlahovic after he kicked the ball.

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  17. 38' Two yellows for shoving in the penalty area at Anfield. Might as well just book everyone if punishing both for that. Never ever gets cautioned, and no Elite referee would issue YCs for that, likely to just cause issues later on. I really, really don't understand it. It's such an easy game too, why get involved?!

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    1. Well, I saw this scene. Referee was lacking some skills, should have worked differently, too easy cards there. Looked like he didn't know how to do in a different way.

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    2. He did warn the players just before but still, I wouldn't expect a referee at any level to give yellows for that, nevermind one at CL level

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  18. Penalty awarded to Lille. Handball. Correct VAR intervention

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  19. OFR in Lille for Mariani, should be the first OFR of MD2 games, apart from the offside involvements. Very clear penalty for handball, hard to spot live. After the incident, he immediately looked for communication with VAR and he also stopped the game. Looked like he was aware that an OFR was about to follow.

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  20. for me the pitch in zagreb is not playable far too much water on it becoming a safety issue.

    On another note 5YCs for Osmers so far

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    Replies
    1. I think it's fair to say that the game would not be going ahead in most domestic leagues

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  21. From Leipzig - Juventus:
    https://streambug.org/cv/f7019e
    As I said before here, all these kinds of challenges, in serie A have been identified as clear penalties and expected VAR interventions if missed live. There will be huge discussions in case Juventus will not win the game.

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    1. similar situation to Zwayer in euro semi

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    2. Clear PK + YC (reckless) and IMO a missed VAR intervention

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    3. Indeed, I was about to write, the same UEFA doesn't show consistency with Zwayer decision in EURO game. So, what is the expected call there?

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    4. German commentator says Leipzig was lucky and that it would not have been the first time to see a penalty for this kind of action.

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    5. It's not just a similar situation, it's a carbon copy. Must be assessed as mistake by UEFA unless they've changed consideration after EURO

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    6. Yes, should be a penalty. Defender only touches the ball, but doesn't really play it and the type of the challenge can be seen as reckless.

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  22. Gozubuyuk called for a missed step on foot, penalty after OFR.
    Second OFR of MD2, for a very classic kind of foul.

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    Replies
    1. This was very difficult to spot, looked like the attacker just ran into the defender. Correct decision.

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    2. Should have been a YC or you'd say it was careless?

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    3. Oddly, there were even two steps on foot.
      So with a strict approach, we could have seen 2 YCs with the penalty...
      But I think, intensity was low enough to accept no card for both.

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    4. My opinion, for consistency purposes, is that it's hard to decide when a step on foot can be forgiven, and assessed only as careless, this opens a very dangerous field. Since there are some penalty calls in which the step on foot is clear, but they are discussed by fans, I wouldn't find absurd to ask for YC in all cases in such kind of infringment.

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    5. First stamp was reckless and punishable, second one careless IMO

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  23. RC for DOGSO handball for Juventus GK after OFR.

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    Replies
    1. Two consecutive OFR for Letexier, now to give a PK handball in the FK by a player next to the wall, similar to Mariani's.

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    2. The GK handball is difficult to assess, because it such a rare situation.
      I think, there can be some doubts, whether this really is an unnatural arm position (or normal for his body movement).
      But probably more expected to give the DOGSO-handball here.

      Handball in the wall seems clear, active movement into the path of the ball.

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    3. Handball by keeper, DOGSO: https://streamin.me/v/4b95388a
      Handball penalty: https://streamin.me/v/f86pnlxe

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  24. Well, definitely not the best evening for Letexier.. almost all the OFRs in his game!

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    Replies
    1. Letexier need to rest, two weeks. I don't know why UEFA try to burn him after two important tournaments for him, Euro and Olympics. So, i guess he will not be appointed in NL 3 and 4, and of course CL MD 3. Who will be at Barcelona with Bayern? It sure it wan't be Marciniak and Kovacs. Oliver or Makelie?

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  25. Correct PK by Gozubuyuk in Lisbon now but very weird procedure, seems like he waited for AR/FO input to give it, very delayed

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  26. 90' Clean tackle, yet YC issued. I think Dabanovic will be lucky to get a UEL game after this, a really poor night, in a very straightforward game. And another time I think YC's really needed to be appealable, or allow more than currently before picking up a suspension.
    Another note, 0 and 3 added minutes seems very low in this game, even noting how Uefa added time is usually less than anyone elses

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  27. I'm a little bit sorry for Dabanovic but he clearly isn't up to the standard required, manages to end a very easy game with six YCs of which at least three were wrong imo, and also with a few more questionable decisions

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  28. Correct late and decisive PK by Osmers in Zagreb.

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  29. Very eventful evening, especially when compared to last night.
    Four OFR: 1 Mariani, 1 Gozubuyuk, 2 Letexier (3 of them for handballs, 1 for step on foot).
    Further controversial situations, with the most discussed one being the missed VAR intervention in Letexier game for what looked to be a very clear penalty for reckless challenge, once kicked the ball by attacker.
    A very debatable penalty by Schnyder but never a mistake.
    Very serious offside mistake and VAR intervention in Birmingham.
    Correct or at least supportable penalty calls in all the other cases.
    I think that without Leipzig game, the trend would be still positive, but... it is particular to point out that at the end the most discussed game could be the one with the French. The fact that Juventus won, however, will solve many troubles to Rosetti.

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    1. If the mentality of Italian clubs influences the referee committee so strongly, that's a big, big problem. It shouldn't matter which team suffers from an unlucky referee. In this way, referees will become afraid to take decions against Italian sides and it endangers fair play.

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  30. The Upamecano's yellow was also very close Dogso, the central field was with no defenders. If someone has a clip, I would like to see that again

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    Replies
    1. Clear RC. Neuer was again out of PK area, it would be very easy for Duran to score the goal. Clear DOGSO.

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  31. Even if Juventus might have won, I'm not sure there will be anyone more relieved than Letexier when he goes to sleep tonight

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  32. Letexier THREE big mistakes tonight. In all 3 he had to asses it by himself on the pitch! Penalty for Juve, handball by Juve GK and such an obvious PK for Leipzig just in front of him - he was perfectly positioned and had clear situation to see it. What a blackout tonight - very low mark is expected.

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    Replies
    1. A little harsh. I think some would make an argument none of these required an OFR. The non-penalty for Juve seems minimal contact, I wouldn't expect it to meet the VAR threshold. The RC, there is maybe the slightest of movements towards the ball, but again, enough to go against the referee's call? And the handball penalty at first I thought was within his body shape but looking again on a bigger screen I think if it touched his other hand, no penalty, but his other arm was pushing the ball away. But it really wouldn't surprise me if some leagues would say all onfield decisions were at least supportable. The amount of OFRs I think makes this seem worse than it is. (I don't deny, however, that by Italian standards these would probably be more clearcut than English ones)

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  33. I think it's interesting that some of you compare the Vlahovic situation to the Dumfries/Kane penalty by Zwayer at Euro. It might look similar, but should be assessed completely different imo.

    In this Vlahovic case, the defender makes the contact with the hanging leg of Vlahovic. Therefore: penalty!

    In the Dumfries/Kane situation, the attacker makes the contact by kicking the hanging leg of the defender. Therefore: if whistled at all, free kick to the defender should be the right decision.

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  34. This was another very clear mistake by AR1, no responsibily from Letexier, yesterday. He stopped a promising attack by Juventus for nothing.
    https://streambug.org/cv/010b86

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  35. I guess that Letexier didn't face his best performance yesterday night in Lipsia. Starting from positive aspect, he was very good on Disciplinary management; At the beginning of the match, he took a part Vlahovic and other two players responsible of two fouls and strongly talked with them asking for cooling and respect. Strong leadership and management without yellow card, to me such skill allowed to always keep match in control and to grant full respect by the players.
    From technical point of view, I guess he did at least two big mistakes: ghost foul whistled to Koopmeiners when he was running alone to the net and the PK for handball, which was very clear in real time and so it didn't need a review by VAR, but it should be must be catched in real time.
    Concerning handball by Juventus goalkeeper, I guess it was not very easy to see it in real time, so an OFR review is acceptable.
    Finally about the Pk called by Juve on Vlahovic in the 1st half, I'm not so sure. To me the defender for sure hit Vlahovic on the hanging leg on the rush, but Vlahovic had already kicked the ball and the keeper already taken. Supportable ?

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  36. I read many negative comments about Dabanovic in yesterday game, especially from English side, but I think it wasn't a very poor performance apart from the management with the two yellow cards issued in first half, when he could have managed differently.
    But to be reported a very good no penalty decision (impossible to think about that, before the replay) and an excellent free kick call for trailing leg and YC for reckless, very rare to see (full contact trailing leg - opponent, visible in the replay). English commentators astonished about such a decision, "no idea why it has been given". Not even after rewatching carefully a replay? Refereeing is not for all people...

    80' PAI
    https://streambug.org/cv/5fc471

    90' Free kick
    https://streambug.org/cv/eb9d11

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  37. I would like to make the following remarks regarding François Letexier’s performance yesterday.
    I guess we can all agree that the French referee is an outstanding match official. I think it is simply part of refereeing that there can occasionally be matches where things don’t go perfectly. As we regularly see, it even happens to the best referees in Europe.

    Of course, we are allowed to point out mistakes here and discuss what he could have done better. That’s simply part of football.
    In general, there are few professions where mistakes are highlighted as much as they are for a football referee.
    That’s why I have great respect for anyone who is able to officiate matches at this level.”

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  38. Pinheiro had a rather easy game in Shakhtar - Atalanta.
    The most discussed decision is the following one, with Atalanta coach, Gasperini, being booked after that for protests.

    https://streambug.org/cv/fd38eb

    Clearly a wrong booking to Atalanta player, with referee thinking about a reckless use of arms. Simulation by Ukrainian player, pretending of having been hit in face. This issue seems to be impossible to solve, because players know they can simulate / accentuate contacts in such situations, because VAR can't intervene on single yellow cards. And for referee is very hard. This was nothing more than maybe foul for careless arm.
    Then, Gasperini, you can already hear him screaming immediately after the foul decision (yes, it's him), same disgraceful behavior as in serie A games. He doesn't care anything about being booked as you can see from his reaction when the Portuguese goes with the yellow, but unluckily we must bear such behaviors...

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    1. It was a clear simulation from away guest already, very wrong decision here. A part from this veeery easy game so far for Pinheiro

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  39. Potential PK in Dinamo Zagreb-Monaco, Osmers was the referee:

    https://streamin.me/v/ee4a8a7e

    Opinions?

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    1. To me it is an excellent decision by Osmers which shows a very good knowledge of football (Mon player in a better position to reach the ball and the Din attacker, with the ball not in playing distance, makes a block on him). It would be interesting to see how it is rated by Kuipers, 'author' of a famous decision in this specific aspect which to me was more-wrong-than-right (Slovakia-Spain ofr penalty at previous Euro).

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    2. Very good decision here - would be very easy to (wrongly) whistle a penalty. Defender is only wanting to play the ball, attacker is wanting to create the contact with opponent. Excellent management too afterwards.

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  40. https://streambug.org/cv/7e041b
    Here the possible DOGSO in Aston Villa - Bayern.
    What one can observe is how quick is the Romanian referee with YC.
    Not even the time to think about a possible DOGSO, but immediately sure without doubts it was only YC because in the midfield?
    Having said that, my opinion is that we are in a very borderline zone. For sure RC would have been supported by VAR, but to me, you can't have a 100% there, so OK in all cases.

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    1. Rather a RC IMO, if it had influenced the result there could have been problems for the referee I think

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    2. Agree with Forlan. You can't (or at least shouldn't) be able to so blatantly haul down an attacker as the last man. Any 'doubt' about controlling the ball and so on should be overriden by the egregious and cynical nature of the foul. DOGSO rule came into existence exactly to stop defenders behaving this way. At (even) WC1990, a referee who gave a YC here would be on the first plane home.

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    3. I agree with Mikael about the cynical nature of this type of foul - YC seems somehow inadequate. But on a technical level, and what we know about UEFA and DOGSO, then a YC is more than a supportable decision. I actually like how decisive Petrescu is here to 'sell' this big decision.

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  41. Possible RC for SFP in Sturm Graz - Brugge, there was a VAR check. I would have liked to see more replays. It's clearly very reckless, but maybe even more. Still, a low tackle.
    https://streambug.org/cv/6323dd

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    1. Without more angles then I think the YC is ok (player reaction is calm). Referee had the best view to see if there was full contact with studs and with no OFR then I guess there wasn't. Very risky tackle to make

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  42. Would say Dabanović and his AR's where awful last night, absolutely awful. AR1 got a lot wrong, both throw ins, missed corners and offsides. AR2 marginally better. Dabanović himself was horrendous looked nervous but arrogant. Booking for two both players pushing at a corner with no warning? Players reaction told you everything. Tsimikas YC wasn't even a foul

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  43. The full sequence of handball penalty in Lille - Real Madrid.
    https://streambug.org/cv/a634e9
    Just to add, in my opinion referees today are excessively worried about warning players. Mariani, after having made he gesture to the wall about potential handballs, missed a very big one a few seconds later. I think he was looking in that direction, but it wasn't easy to spot. My opinion is that today is given too much importance in giving instructions to players, and in my opinion it's also a useless thing because we see ithat nothing changes, if they want to commit a foul or handball, it will be not referee's fault. I would dare to say this can decrease the level of attention by referees, once the infringments are committeed. The Italian referee spent a long time to prepare everything and to warn players, then to have this outcome. You would agree there is something not logical here. Just as general consideration.

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