Second set of Matchday 7 games, to be played 22 January 2025.
18:45 CET - Leipzig (Red Bull Arena)
RB LEIPZIG (GER) - SPORTING CP (POR)
Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Mangirdas Mirauskas LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Vytenis Kazlauskas LTU
Fourth Official: Vilius Paulauskas LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Desislava Ralkova BUL
18:45 CET - Gelsenkirchen (Veltins Arena)
SHAKHTAR DONETSK (UKR) - STADE BRESTOIS 29 (FRA)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Lionel Tschudi SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Sokol Jareci ALB
UEFA Delegate: Paul Lyon GIB
SHAKHTAR DONETSK (UKR) - STADE BRESTOIS 29 (FRA)
Referee: Sandro Schärer SUI
Assistant Referee 1: Stéphane De Almeida SUI
Assistant Referee 2: Jonas Erni SUI
Fourth Official: Lionel Tschudi SUI
Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Sokol Jareci ALB
UEFA Delegate: Paul Lyon GIB
21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu)
REAL MADRID CF (ESP) - FC SALZBURG (AUT)
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
UEFA Referee Observer:Stavros Tritsonis GRE
UEFA Delegate: Duncan Fraser SCO
REAL MADRID CF (ESP) - FC SALZBURG (AUT)
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Duncan Fraser SCO
21:00 CET - Paris (Parc des Princes)
PARIS SAINT GERMAIN (FRA) - MANCHESTER CITY FC (ENG)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Damian Kos POL
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER
UEFA Delegate: István Huszár HUN
PARIS SAINT GERMAIN (FRA) - MANCHESTER CITY FC (ENG)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz POL
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik POL
Fourth Official: Damian Kos POL
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER
UEFA Delegate: István Huszár HUN
21:00 CET - Prague (Stadion Letná)
AC SPARTA PRAHA (CZE) - FC INTERNAZIONALE (ITA)
Referee: Alejandro Hernández ESP
Assistant Referee 1: José Naranjo ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Sánchez Rojo ESP
Fourth Official: César Soto Grado ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Gómez ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Uno Tutk EST
UEFA Delegate: Kimmo J. Lipponen FIN
AC SPARTA PRAHA (CZE) - FC INTERNAZIONALE (ITA)
Referee: Alejandro Hernández ESP
Assistant Referee 1: José Naranjo ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Diego Sánchez Rojo ESP
Fourth Official: César Soto Grado ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Valentín Gómez ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Uno Tutk EST
UEFA Delegate: Kimmo J. Lipponen FIN
21:00 CET - London (Emirates Stadium)
ARSENAL FC (ENG) - GNK DINAMO (CRO)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: João Ferreira POR
UEFA Delegate: Andrey Medintsev BUL
ARSENAL FC (ENG) - GNK DINAMO (CRO)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: João Ferreira POR
UEFA Delegate: Andrey Medintsev BUL
21:00 CET - Glasgow (Celtic Park)
CELTIC FC (SCO) - BSC YOUNG BOYS (SUI)
Referee: Rohit Saggi NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Morten Jensen NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Fourth Official: Kristoffer Hagenes NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras GRE
UEFA Delegate: Bert Andersson SWE
CELTIC FC (SCO) - BSC YOUNG BOYS (SUI)
Referee: Rohit Saggi NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Morten Jensen NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Fourth Official: Kristoffer Hagenes NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Benjamin Brand GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Kyros Vassaras GRE
UEFA Delegate: Bert Andersson SWE
21:00 CET - Rotterdam (Stadion Feijenoord "De Kuip")
FEYENOORD (NED) - FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER)
FEYENOORD (NED) - FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER)
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: Mehmet Murat Ilgaz TUR
UEFA Delegate: David Findlay SCO
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: Mehmet Murat Ilgaz TUR
UEFA Delegate: David Findlay SCO
21:00 CET - Milan (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)
AC MILAN (ITA) - GIRONA FC (ESP)
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER
Fourth Official: Matthias Jöllenbeck GER
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Jørn West Larsen DEN
UEFA Delegate: Radenko Mijatović SVN
AC MILAN (ITA) - GIRONA FC (ESP)
Referee: Tobias Stieler GER
Assistant Referee 1: Christian Gittelmann GER
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Borsch GER
Fourth Official: Matthias Jöllenbeck GER
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Jørn West Larsen DEN
UEFA Delegate: Radenko Mijatović SVN
Early note on the observers: all confirmed (appointed a month ago) unless the game in Madrid, where Tritsonis (GRE) has replaced Skjervold (NOR), but the Norwegian was appointed twice, so maybe a mistake by UEFA. The only late appointment of this MD7 was Celtic - Young Boys, Vassaras added later than all the others, and we can think this one could be a more important test for Saggi regarding his development. But the game isn't for sure a big one.
ReplyDeleteSecond remark about the VARs: they are from Nyon indeed, the officials appointed for Tuesday will be in charge also Wednesday. An excellent work by committee, if you ask me, for Tuesday's clashes, where all the VAR pairings have officials from the same nation of field referees, this was not easy to arrange.
Marciniak with PSG - City, once again we can say that his treatment is definitely the most bizzarre one you can see by UEFA. Basically, not that much trusted and liked, but getting big game after big game just because it's him, and other referees are judged unable to officiate such clashes. One could write a very long analysis about that, I think we have now arrived at a point in which the contradiction has reached the maximum possible level.
Nevertheless, one could say that with him, committee has nothing to lose and he is respected as one of the biggest referees ever, so they rely on this argument and they think it's a very wise choice for them.
To follow, in my opinion, even if these games can be important for qualification, Nyberg and Schaerer don't seem to be in their best moments. Especially the Swiss, assigned to an Ukrainian team, when the choices for such teams have been always different. Still, one should mention Brest and their incredible season, but I think committee would have made another choice for this game.
Real Madrid not in a good position, but at home against Salzburg makes it definitely an expected win on paper.
Stieler in Milan and Siebert in London: I think that this is a very specific choice, and they wouldn't have made the contrary assignments. The game in Milan is seen as more delicate, as we know, involving an Italian team in a rather poor season, so a minimum of expeience with Stieler, they wouldn't have appointed Siebert for this one, the other German will be in London where a win by English team, third placed, can be largely expected.
Hernandez finds room as referee in Champions, after the incredible mistake as VAR: this is just for assigning him in a game, Czech side too poor to think about a possible challenge against Inter. The other Italian team from Milan is surely in a very safe position and committee is not worried while making such appointment.
Letexer continues with a rather important game for qualification, where maybe Dutch side (hard to believe, though) could dream to beat the famous German team.
Lukjančukas with a n ormal assignment for him, with Leipzig believed to be one of the poorest team in this league. It's incredible to say that because if you read this game "Leipzig - Sporting" you can think about a totally different scenario, with a rather very open tie.
It seems impossible to find 20 other names in the Champions League next week, isn’t it?
ReplyDeleteMarciniak in PSG City is no surprise. Vincic could have been there too, but we can guess the motivations by the RefCom; the Slovenian has “more to lose” (wants to attend 2026 World Cup) whereas the Polish already refereed almost anything…
In the Champions League, only 18 matches are played per matchday. ;-) When I look at the table and the schedule, however, I think that matches like Young Boys - Red Star Belgrade or RB Leipzig - Sturm Graz would also be suitable for debutants.
DeleteWell, there are 10 Elite referees without games this week (excluding the very unlikely ones) and it seems possible, that no more than 10 games will be still relevant. So it could work out.
DeleteHowever it seems indeed more likely that there will be double appointments.
Especially as some of the remaining Elite referees still could be in EL this thursday.
Missing Elite referees:
ReplyDeletePeljto
Oliver
Taylor
Gil Manzano
Sanchez Martinez
Turpin
Sidiropoulos
Grinfeeld
Guida*
Mariani
Eskas
Pinheiro
Jovanovic*
Kruzliak
Meler
Guida is injured and Jovanovic out, so this leaves 13 referees with the chance to be appointed in Champions League MD8. However, it's hard to think that some names could get a game even if for a useless game.
We are on the edge. There will certainly be second assignments in CL for some referees appointed on this week.
Basically I would say that as far as possible, as a precaution, the committe could have tried to appoint the minimum possible number of Elite in the Europa League this week to keep them for next week, but this management basically wouln't be entirely fair.
Speaking of it, some EL predictions
DeletePorto - Olympiakos: Taylor
Fenerbahce - Lyon: Petrescu
Alkmaar - Roma: Grinfeeld
Malmö - Twente: Sanchez
Qarabag - FCSB: Beaton
Bodo - Maccabi: Dabanovic
Viktoria - Anderlecht: Osmers
Hoffenheim - Tottenham: Schnyder
Frankfurt - Ferencvaros: Lambrechts
ManUnited - Rangers: Pinheiro
Lazio - Sociedad: Glova
PAOK - Slavia: Oliver
Saint-Gilloise - Braga: Gil Manzano
Ludogorets - Midtjylland: Godinho
Elfsborg - Nice: Minakovic
RFS - Ajax: Papapetrou
Jovanovic is injured also..
DeleteMarciniak's appointment for PSG vs. M. City is no surprise, as it was expected to happen.
ReplyDeleteSiebert in Arsenal vs. Dynamo is indicative of a less noisy game and with the maximum prospect of calm in this match.
As for Nyberg, we have the following idea: even though he is not in the best of times, it is the first time that the Swede will referee a game of the three Spanish big clubs (Real, Barça and ATM). The possibility of calm for this match is high, but it could also be a tight game, especially remembering the match between Salzburg and Liverpool at Anfield (a 4-3 victory for the Reds and, coincidentally, refereed by Ekberg, another Swede who is currently retired from refereeing).
I should rather say this will be a quiet evening for Nyberg given the weakness of the Salzburg squad. There is simply too big a difference in quality between Real and RBS.
DeleteWith the exception of the YC for Vinícius Jr (who, by the way, begs for cards in every way, be it a stomp, complaint or simulation), it's been a calm game.
DeleteSerie A appointments: Mariani will work as AVAR twice on Friday and Saturday. Quite sure we will see him on Champions League MD8.
ReplyDeleteSozza: appointed for a serie A game, Udinese - Roma, on Sunday.
I think that in case of a CL debut on Wednesday to follow, he would have skipped this assignment, because in case he will have four games a week and half, definitely too much. He is rather not appointed in Champions League, but let's see, maybe I'm wrong.
Turpin is appointed on Sunday, Bastien too
DeleteI have a really stupid question:
ReplyDeleteI thought about sharing a video via streamable. com or another Plattform but then I asked me the following question:
is it legal to share a video recorded from my own screen (like a screenshot-video) from a pay-TV platform like DAZN? Because I mean then anyone can see DAZN-Footage without paying for it…
Sorry for such a stupid question again but I would appreciate your answers…
Eredivisie:
ReplyDeleteAt the end of last year, PEC had a 1-2 goal cancelled by VAR-intervention for an 'offside at corner kick'. They asked the KNVB to 'restart the match at 1-2' but were ignored, so they appealed to the IFAB.
https://peczwolle.nl/nieuws/update-rkc-waalwijk-pec-zwolle
Strictly speaking, the 1-2 goal should still be annulled because the ball was not stationary at the cornerkick, but VAR certainly could not intervene. However what will the IFAB do?
In addition, good to mention that the referee and VAR have been suspended.
DeleteMike Verweij of De Telegraaf said so, but there has been no official announcement so I can't confirm it.
DeleteThe KNVB probably won't make an announcement. A month? We'll see.
Actually, it is trustworthy. Both the referee and VAR haven’t been appointed since December 20th, when RKC-PEC was played. For 3 matchdays now (incl the Cup).
DeleteLukjančukas called to the monitor by Chiffi to assess offside interfering at Leipzig's second goal in 41'. Good intervention, goal disallowed.
ReplyDeleteOFR for Scharer in 90'+5' to disallow the third goal scored by Shaktar after a foul in the APP.
ReplyDeleteSame for Saggi in 31'. Clear missed foul.
ReplyDeleteBusy game for Di Bello.
DeleteSaggi was invited again to the monitor in 88' for violent conduct: kick on leg missed by AR1 and 4O as well.
Rather soft penalty by Saggi. Evident offside missed by Marciniak AR2 in Paris, VAR intervention. Very good by Hernandez Hernandez and Nyberg to Punish. Clear simulations with Yellow cards.
ReplyDeleteEvident offside? Come on, it was impossible to see in real time, here is screen from semi-automatic system:
Deletehttps://imgur.com/a/R4Y2I3Z
Sorry Chefren but nothing is « evident » ! Very hard decision to spot on…
DeleteSorry, the offside was not evident indeed. I watched it only once.
DeleteNot easy and OK to stay down, almost impossible to see.
Here the penalty by Saggi:
https://streamin.me/v/6aa6d853
If this is a soft penalty, what can you say about the one from Makkelie yesterday for Barcelona? Completely wrong?
DeleteVictor Sergio Rodrigues, commentator for TNT Sports Brazil, disagreed with the YC given by Nyberg to Vinícius: "It wasn't a penalty, but I don't know if that's a card".
Delete@Lincoln Big shock that a Brazilian would defend Vinicius. It is a clear dive, and I dislike the notion that a player has to beg for a penalty to be booked in situations like these. Or for that matter that contact means it's not a simulation.
DeleteWe've seen Nyberg give these before, I think twice in last year's campaign. Although this time it's evidently also because it's Vini specifically, he barely landed before seeing the YC.
Tough decision for Kupsik for the PSG offside goal ,basically level.
ReplyDeletedisaster
ReplyDeleteExcellent advantage by Letexier leading to 3rd goal in 88'.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding decision by Letexier prior to 3/0 by Rotterdam ! What an amazing advantage ! Well done !
ReplyDeleteI must say, an excellent performance by Letexier so far. Very well-played advantage before 3-0, good penalty in the first half and a lot of moments where he needed to decide and did so very strongly.
ReplyDeleteIn extra time, I think there was a red card to the BAY staff or a player on the bench.
I could not see what happened there.
My only point of criticism would be, that in the first half (around minute 12?) he correctly gave a yellow card to Feyenoord, but could also have punished the blatant asking for a yellow card by BAY.
But all in all, a very strong performance by Letexier. Also, excellent fitness.
Yes, I completely agree.
DeleteIt was impressive that Feyenoord barely had the ball but only committed 5 fouls. Feyenoord did well, but Letexier's standards were consistent and very good.
Great match!
What do you think about the last PSG goal? Was that a controlled pass from a defender? He was jumping with an attacker and the ball bounced from his shoulder...
ReplyDeleteDoesn't really matter, because the attacker didn't touch the ball at all - so there wasn't any attacking pass, when the goalscorer was in an offside position.
Delete(But no, this would not classify as controlled play IMO).
OK, are there any pictures proving that? I rewatched and only found angles, where the PSG player and the second last defender are outside the frame.
DeleteBut it explains, why the check took so long...
OK, I saw the situation again and the goalscorer was apparently not in the offside position when the ball was played by PSG player (before that defender pass).
DeleteIn Polish TV CANAL+ this situastions is very cleer.... Adam Lyczmański (ref expert) concludes that is a good decision.
DeleteThe only threat is whether Szymon can see this situactions.
MD8 predictions
ReplyDeleteBayern - Bratislava: Gil Manzano (Soto)
Dortmund - Donetsk: Nyberg (van Boekel)
Barcelona - Atalanta: Kruzliak (Ruperti)
Inter - Monaco: Eskas (Dankert)
ManCity - Brugge: Meler (San)
Leverkusen - Sparta: Oliver (Gillett)
Juventus - Benfica: Marciniak (Kwiatkowski)
Dinamo - Milan: Letexier (Brisard)
Lille - Feyenoord: Kovacs (Popa)
PSV - Liverpool: Peljto (Dingert)
Salzburg - Atletico: Grinfeeld (Chiffi)
Sporting - Bologna: Sanchez (de Burgos)
Bern - Red Star: Lindhout (Higler)
Villa - Celtic: Turpin (Delajod)
Girona - Arsenal: Petrescu (Dieperink)
Brest - Real: Pinheiro (Martins)
Graz - Leipzig: Dabanovic (del Cerro Grande)
Stuttgart - Paris: Mariani (di Paolo)
I would choose a bit more experience in Stuttgart-PSG. Perhaps Gil Manzano. In principle, both teams can play for a draw and advance. But in case of a draw in Stuttgart, Man City can still overtake Stuttgart and dip them out (based on goal difference).
DeleteI also expect an experienced referee in Zagreb. If Dinamo wins and there is a winner in Stuttgart, the Croatians will advance.
My first assumption is that Juventus-Benfica will play for a draw (“Gentleman’s agreement”). Juventus needs a miracle to reach top-8 anyway.
I am curious about the referee in Man City-Bruges. My prediction would be Turpin.
Stuttgart - PSG another very big one.
DeleteI think Vincic will get it.
Thanks for the feedback.
DeleteI avoided referees, who already work this week, for the games, which already have an observer. But not sure, whether that's UEFA logic as well.
Then options for the indeed important Stuttgart-PSG were limited. I also considered Gil Manzano, but hard to say, how much he is trusted at the moment.
And Mariani's promotion should mean he has a good reputation in the moment. Such a game could be a step towards Italy's no 1 for him (given the problems for Guida and Massa).
Which games do see as the big ones?
DeleteTaylor/ Oliver are surely possible on stuttgart vs PSG?
Is Marciniak the only ref to repeat a team?
Dinamo-Milan, Lille-Feyenoord and Stuttgart-PSG look like the most exciting ones regarding the table situation.
DeleteFor some other teams (e.g. Celtic or Brugge), it is hard to say whether their chances or risks are only mathematical or quite realistic.
For Taylor, it looks like he can't do German teams at the moment and Oliver had PSG on MD6 - so rather unlikely, I think.
Massa has also repeated Leverkusen already.
I'll go for
DeleteBayern - Bratislava: Balakin (Del Grande)
Dortmund - Donetsk: Kruzliak (Kwiatolski)
Barcelona - Atalanta: Oliver (Gillett)
Inter - Monaco: Meler (Dankert)
ManCity - Brugge: Letexier (Delajod)
Leverkusen - Sparta: Schnyder (San)
Juventus - Benfica: Kovacs (Popa)
Dinamo - Milan: Turpin (Brisard)
Lille - Feyenoord: Taylor (Attwell)
PSV - Liverpool: Mariani (Di Paolo)
Salzburg - Atletico: Pinhiero (Martins)
Sporting - Bologna: Manzano (Hernandez)
Bern - Red Star: Osmers (Dingbert)
Villa - Celtic: Nyberg (Higler)
Girona - Arsenal: Kruashvilli (Chiffi)
Brest - Real: Eskas (Deiperink)
Graz - Leipzig: Petrescu (Van Boekel)
Stuttgart - Paris: Vincic (Borosak)
https://streamin.me/v/722005e7
ReplyDeleteVery good by Letexier indeed, once again here it is shown how much would be easy to whistle (teammate still not reaching the ball) but waiting a second more leads the great advantage.
The referee in the Champions League final 2025 is difficult to predict, especially because almost all options depend on the teams that are still in the competition, unlike (neutral) Vinčić last season.
ReplyDelete- Zwayer: German teams. The Real/Bellingham story would be spicy (again) before a kick-off, but I don't think it would rule Zwayer out.
- Taylor: He must hope for a final between, let's say: PSG and a Spanish team.
- Makkelie: I don't see the Dutch teams going tooo far this season. Can he officiate PSG, or is it too sensitive? Side note: he's also avoiding Italian clubs teams since the EURO, which is odd.
- Letexier: he also depends on (especially) PSG.
- Kovács: Neutral, but changed his team recently and now starts working with the Romanian VAR as well. I think he is aiming for the final in 2026.
Based on the appointments so far, I think Zwayer definitely get a UEFA final; the one that is available for him depending on the teams. Probably Europa League or Champions League.
For Taylor it will be a more difficult story. English VARs are not trusted as well. However, it would be a nice way to end his international career. I think Rosetti still loves him.
I’m not sure how Makkelie is rated by UEFA at the moment. For the last couple of years, he was treated like a Çakır. Makkelie started the season very motivated and has a fixed team for a long time. But I also wrote it in the previous post: if Makkelie is the #1 favourite, would UEFA give him Benfica-Barcelona at this stage? Two emotional teams, known for blaming the referee when they lose. I have my doubts. At this point, I think Makkelie is more an outsider than the favourite.
And then Letexier. Sure, there is the risk of a Cassai-case. He started the season in a poor way. However, UEFA loves Letexier, and on his best days the French official is better than Zwayer and Makkelie. Running angles that other referees don’t run. To add, the strong political background. UEFA overlooked Makkelie in his prime, but I’m not sure they can overlook a referee from a strong nation like France.
Taylor in the UCL final makes us analyze the following situation: he will have to be a hungry referee in the advanced stages of the competition, starting with the play-offs. At his age, there is technical and sometimes mental wear and tear due to a series of controversies, such as: a) the corner not awarded to South Korea near the end of the game against Ghana in the WC; b) the penalty not awarded to Roma in the UCL final; c) the penalty not awarded to Germany in the game against Spain in the Euro (months later, UEFA admitted the mistake), d) gross errors in the PL that led to his relegation to the Championship.
DeleteThere is no point in receiving hidden games with a view to a possible continental final if there is also no self-motivation and enthusiasm for it.
*UEL
DeleteAgain, my opinion for what it's worth, it's simply impossible to see Taylor in Champions League final after all what happened involving him. At first, he should find the best constellation of events with no German, Spanish, Italian and English teams in the final. Then, one must mention again when they had the big chance to appoint him in his home country but they selected Vincic. OK, you can say that the Slovenian was already planned, but you know, the Slovanian is a jolly, another year wouldn't have been a problem (and look at how he was managed for that), while for an English referees all these circumstances make it very hard.
DeleteIn other words, would committee appoint a referee for a Champions League, when about this referee, a clear mistake has been officially leaked by RFEF? Just, impossible...
But in case it will happen, I will be the first astonished person, believe me :)
As for Makkelie, I am convinced that after the historic match in Lisbon, he has gained solid ground in the race for the final in Munich. UEFA may have had some misgivings about the Dutchman in the last 2 or 3 years, but a spectacular performance with 9 goals increases the referee's confidence.
DeleteRohit Saggi in Celtic - Young Boys.
ReplyDeleteSurely a game to remember for the young Norwegian.
31' VAR intervention for a foul in the APP and disallowed goal
https://streambug.org/cv/71f748
39' Penalty to Celtic
https://streambug.org/cv/9d8479
89' OFR for red card, reaction, violent conduct
https://streambug.org/cv/7cdf6b
About the latter, one can't believe that referee (visual control), fourth official (right in front of the incident!) and AR1 as well (but maybe less respnsibility than the others) could miss this one and they needed VAR. Rosetti will be more than disappointed. Three people could see that.
After having observed the Norwegian on last summer, following his path to a development in UEFA, I think that it's not still his time, and in recent months, after yesterday's game, one should be more disappointed than content.
Important observer with Vassaras, former committee member and close to them. Luckily all the mistakes were corrected by VAR, but imagine a game without it...
Watching most of this match Saggi kept decent control overall. But too many big errors for this level - without the good work of VAR then there would be a lot of scandal.
DeleteMy impression was of a referee who could reach a high level - but there is a lot of work to do.
Here the OFR in Schaerer game, to disallow 3-0.
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/e08336
Honestly, there can be doubts about the VAR call.
Clear and obvious mistake? Without objective criteria, it can be the opinion (assessment) of referee, against the one by VAR.
What would be the reason to say that this is very clear foul?
I'm always less and less convinced when I see such interventions.
Such incidents are never called in serie A. There must be something evident in terms of contact.
For me, there is no doubt about this VAR call, and if it indeed isn't called in Serie A, then they're doing something very wrong imo. The Shakhtar player jumps in with his entire body weight when the ball is already gone and blocking off the Brest player from making a run. If this is not obstruction, then I don't know what is tbh
DeleteI'm also skeptical that there was enough clear evidence for an intervention by the var. Also, look at the clear signal from Schaerer, who it is fair to say is in a decent position to view the incident and judged no foul.
DeleteI believe there would not be any VAR call if the goal was not scored
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