2024-25 UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals, second legs. Last set of referee appointments for this stage.
21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu)
REAL MADRID CF (ESP) - ARSENAL FC (ENG)
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Stéphanie Frappart FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastien Dechepy FRA
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Milovan Đukanović MNE
21:00 CET - Milan (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)
FC INTERNAZIONALE (ITA) - FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER)
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
FC INTERNAZIONALE (ITA) - FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER)
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: Matej Jug SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Kieran O'Connor WAL
Fourth Official: Matej Jug SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Alen Borošak SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
UEFA Referee Observer:
UEFA Delegate: Kieran O'Connor WAL
Hard to understand, why those aren't swapped.
ReplyDeleteVincic had Bayern in the previous round (and even missed a penalty for them).
And the Real-Arsenal winner probably meets PSG in the next round. BTW this argument has been completely ignored - also Sanchez and Mariani are in this situation.
+1
DeleteAnd I’d have saved Vincic for the semi-final in this bracket, as I’m not sure Marciniak can get Bayern after the offside-flag last season. Tbh the Polish should be able to officiate Bayern München, but for the first time in a semi-final again is, let’s say, avoidable? Of course, this all won’t matter if Inter will play the semi-final, but I assume the Refcom should at least consider it.
Was definitely expecting Letexier, but in Inter-Bayern.
ReplyDeleteVincic used for the most open game of the quarters is a bit unexpected for me. Big appointment for him!
That makes no CL KO game in three rounds for Makkelie. This is a very very hidden path
ReplyDeleteSaved for a semi rather than for the final?
After, Romania vs Bosnia, I don't think, that Makkelie will get some games. Maybe in Conference League this week, not in EL or Champions.
Deletedepends on how UEFA thinks about that decision
DeleteBut it's getting clear that Makkelie and Taylor are on hidden paths
That would be a joke! He had a VAR intervention for a debatable handball. Meanwhile, Marciniak received another appointment after Germany vs Italy, despite two VAR interventions. Nieberg also had two VAR interventions and was assigned to Netherlands vs Spain. Letexier had two VAR interventions in the group stage and still got another match. So I fully expect Makkelie to get another game as well.
DeleteI still have great doubts that Makkelie and Taylor are currently "protected" with regard to possible final nominations. Both have fallen out of favor at EURO 2024 - partly incomprehensible to some here in this forum. In my opinion, it doesn't make much sense to hide them for a year before they are conjured up again exactly at a final game.
DeleteMy message for those who constantly insist with Makkelie is: go and watch again him in Benfica-Barcelona. It was expected that his UCL season was over after that (shocking) performance. That last minute not awarded penalty for Benfica that later ended with Barcelona scoring the winning goal must have been assesed as a big mistake. To add: Missed penalty for Barcelona awarded after OFR, two very soft (for most people wrong) penalties for each team where VAR could not intervene. This were only KMI. Shocking performance and people ask for him in UCL SFs or even the final as I read in other posts? Please, let's be serious.
DeleteMakkelie is not hidden or preserved. In my opinion it is clear that his performance in Romania has been rejected, unfortunately. And Benfica-Barcelona (MD7) probably as well after Portuguese complaints, because they were not appointed to a play-off game in February. Harsh? A little bit, if we consider that the game in Lisbon was a rollercoaster with a crazy scoreline, plenty of box incidents and difficult weather conditions.
DeleteHowever, sadly enough UEFA just cares about avoiding controversy, and seemingly don’t care about match difficulty or whatsoever. Michael Oliver was in the middle of a 7-0 game in Paris, he literally “cruised” to the next round, just saying :P
No need to rewatch that game. Both penalties were justified, as we already discussed here on the blog before, and the penalty situation at the end of the match was never a penalty. At most, it was unfortunate that Barcelona scored directly afterwards on the counterattack. Just bad luck. Apart from these key match incidents, he refereed a good game, as was also mentioned here; Makkelie is back to his old form.
DeleteMarciniak selected for CWC. it is reported, there will be 12 referees from UEFA.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.laczynaspilka.pl/aktualnosci/sedzia/polscy-sedziowie-poprowadza-mecze-klubowych-mistrzostw-swiata
UEL lazio vs bodo glimt referee Nikola Dabanovic mne
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/ArbitroInteBlog/status/1911765974409175237?t=adX3q6RydyyAvqId5oyXkQ&s=19
ReplyDeleteList of the Club World Cup by arbitro internacional
So, it's the classic pattern with less experienced names for first legs, Peljto and Schaerer, and then committee didn't want to take any risk for second legs. Very big names lik Letexier and Vincic are assigned.
ReplyDeleteI also think that the game in Madrid, knowing Spanish team, will be fully open, and it could be a very challenging one for the French. I would even dare to say Madrid one will be more challenging than Inter - Bayern in all cases. Inter - Bayern rather an open one, but they will play fairly again, if you ask me. I have this feeling.
While in Spain an early goal, or maybe not early but just in first half, would be already enough for the Gunners to start to be worried. We'll see whether this will be a very rare case in which Real will give up (extremely rare). True that first legs went quite smooth for the referees.
About Makkelie and Taylor, you already know my opinion, just impossible to compare them. Extremely difficult situation for the English who can't almost officiate any game in CL, while it's not the case for Makkelie, and one could still expect him for an assignment before the end of the season. I would be very surprised not to see him at all, indeed also other referes made OFR, that's not anything concerning only the Dutch. We will see, I'm very curious about the management of the very last games.
Just got a phone call from Makkelie he is very sad. Later his friend Gozubuyuk also called me he is also very sad. Later that day i called Mariani and Im very happy. Guess who I am
ReplyDeleteAn anonymous liar.
DeleteLooks like a very challenging game is awaiting for Letexier.
ReplyDeleteYou can see and hear the atmosphere in Madrid...
Correct YC right now for reckless.
Good early YC for Alaba.
ReplyDeleteWell, well, well... and this OFR will lead to many discussions, ball was impossible to reach in my opinion, nobody waiting and expecting that, in Italy would be never called...
ReplyDeleteAlso never in England. There's no consequence from the action, the ball would never have reached that player, and it was no more of a tug than you often see in this situation. I'm stunned that has been given
DeleteNot convinced that that's a clear penalty. There's been a lot of talk about only intervening on pulling offences with a clear impact on play. This isn't one of those.
DeleteThat said its a clear pull and it's not mutual either
Agree. Brisard had to forgot this call. But sorry, if Letexier didn’t get PK for that, would be an error. Clear pulling. So no choice for ref here…
DeleteClear pen. Not sure why it took so long to goto var.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The holding is very clear and blatant, impossible to ignore despite the lack of consequence.
DeleteNever a VAR involvement. Ball dropping under crossbar, only player involved made half a claim. This would never have been given in England. Cannot be certain whether Arsenal player instigated it
ReplyDeleteThis is not a review. Never. One arm holding, off the ball and no clear impact.
ReplyDeletePenalty missed. Definitely the best solution here.
ReplyDeleteA few people breathing a sigh of relief at that miss I'm sure
DeleteMust have been Letexier’s Talisman. I also thought it wasn’t VAR stuff. No protests either, that says a lot.
DeleteNot convinced at all by this penalty call : one arm holding, far far away from the ball… nothing extraordinary here. Never VAR stuff.
ReplyDeleteCompensation.
ReplyDeleteAnother penalty in my opinion. At least ref is consistent.
ReplyDeleteCalling a penalty like this gives too much of the idea of randomness.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the infringement itself may be obvious, in my opinion sometimes this is not enough. It is a complex issue.
If the argument that VAR should focus on situations in the "centre" of the game is valid, then this is certainly a wrong call (player far from the ball, isolated incident). However, given that it was called, it is possible that the committe left some doors open.
I think that VAR called here for two main reasons: Letexier certainly did not see anything, and UEFA's prerogative to punish holdings very strictly. We agree on this, but here, despite everything, the call gave the impression of sending to the monitor in a too arbitrary way.
Since we are far from the ball, this call is not conceptually far from calling during a corner for any holding with the ball far away, and we know how many there are, where the referee doesn't have direct vision of everything, in my opinion this is the point of reasoning from which we can start.
I even thought Letexier could refuse, but he accepted.
Nevertheless, the VAR issue about when to intervene remains very delicate.
What is Letexier doing? Could be a very very long match for him...
ReplyDeleteIncredibly soft
ReplyDeleteThis is getting a tad ridiculous. Mbappe throws himself down. Never a pen.
ReplyDeleteNever a penalty either…
ReplyDeleteNo doubt that the earlier decision has impacted that. Definitely more no penalty than penalty.
ReplyDeleteClear error or not is the question
Now very soft penalty, I think wrong, Brisard is having his challnging game and I think he is veeeery unsure.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, we can see that. Incredibly long VAR check.
DeleteBoth penalties are completely ridiculous, should never be called.
ReplyDeleteIncredibly long check, whatever your view on this is. Safe to say, the fall to the floor does not match the (possible foul) action
ReplyDeleteIs the player offside? Soft yes. Brought to screen?
ReplyDeleteA display for the world the ridiculousness of video review in football. The luddites will have a field day with this and they will be justified in it.
ReplyDeleteIs this double standard????
ReplyDeleteIs the angle behind the goal sufficient to overturn decision?
ReplyDeleteUEFA say offside no penalty on graphics and game is restarted with drop ball?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a poor first half by Letexier.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this penalty should be removed as concept, but staying at VAR protocol, should have been confirmed.
Very difficult work for the French rew so far... hope it's over now with controversy.
How is that offside?
ReplyDeleteNow they have changed it to no foul by ARS #41
ReplyDeleteProbably right in the end by Brisard, took too long though.
ReplyDeleteLetexier analyzed the contact, and removed penalty, no information about offside, in case it should have been indirect free kick for Arsenal. However, better to remove this penalty as well in the end, no matter how.
ReplyDeleteI think you could see that he awarded a drop ball, so decision was "no foul".
DeleteOh no, this all was not good for the uefa referee reputation...
ReplyDeleteBrisard seemed to be fighting against the images. According to protocol, there was a lack of agility and speed.
ReplyDeleteWeird set of circumstances. You can definitely say that VAR has overreacted on both of those penalty calls. However there's a strong argument that post intervention both decisions were correct.
ReplyDelete*over reached rather than overreacted
DeleteOn the other hand, imagine if the VAR intervened on neither, and the second penalty was given but not the first. That would have been rather unjust.
DeleteOf course, I think Letexier probably doesn’t whistle the second penalty without the pressure from the first.
For what it’s worth, I think (especially given how liberal VARs are with interventions in recent times) both interventions were ultimately correct, though the second one obviously took far too much time. The first is a clear foul, the second clearly is not a foul. Nothing more than that needs to be said.
It's ok to criticise the protocol, but in the end, I think we should always be happy when a wrong decision is removed, after all, that's the whole point.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I agree with you completely many other occasions decisions have not been given or overturned as we are not supposed to be re-refereeing the game
DeleteFirst penalty you can argue Ref doesn't see as watching where ball is but second one is definitely asking him to change his decision
Not a penalty but not a clear mistake and no review by UEFA standart.
ReplyDeleteFor me both no penalty . First sutuation its a holding but no impact for the game becouse courtois catch the Ball and the foul happened out of the gamę. The second was too small touch, the speed wasnt high so no impact
ReplyDeleteVery good with 7 minutes.
ReplyDeleteThis is what is missing in many other referees, never giving a correct addedt time.
Should have been at least 8, as the two VAR reviews lasted over 7 minutes in total. And there was an injury in added time which he didn’t allow for. Still a problem for Letexier it seems after euro final
DeleteAnd the second half started right on time. Really very good, a lot of referees are late.
DeleteFor me if you give the first one after OFR you have to give the 2nd, which he did on field, so for me the VAR should'nt have call him.
ReplyDelete+1
Delete+1
DeleteDisagree. As others have stated, actual pull/hold on the first where on the second surely you cannot say that Rice has caused Mbappe to throw himself like that. In any case one wrong decision should not justify another.
DeleteProtocol this and protocol that... you always need to look at the bigger picture. The question in regards to holding is, did the actions of the defender impact the movement of the attacker, yes or no? When you zoom out you can clearly see that Rice didn't, Mbappé went to ground by himself when he realized he wasn't getting to the ball. Obviously the time the review took is something for improvement but in the end they got to the right decision. I wish they had worked in the same way on the first situation as well. Instead of just zooming in on Acensio's holding, look at the bigger picture, the ball is not getting anywhere near. Football doesn't expect penalties in any of the two situations
ReplyDeleteIn short on the two major incidents to recap.
ReplyDeleteVAR shouldn't have called the OFR in the first case, Letexier could have refused once at monitor (but rare and hard).
Second penalty, we all agree it was not enough to whistle, but to me by protocol not a clear and obvious mistake. However, here the action by VAR could be assessed correct by committee for the UEFA desire not to see soft penalties.
All in all, it resulted in a very difficult game for the French crew, but surely they made it complicated by themselves.
I think it was impossible to reject the first penalty situation once Brisard called Letexier to the screen. I felt like his hands are tied regarding that. And then the second wrong penalty is a consequence of that.
DeleteBut very complex situations where the players do everything to trick the referee, especially the Real Madrid players. Lots of pressure on Letexier and Brisard.
Agree. But focus more on Brisard and VAR work here. Letexier with good acceptance from players. I think honest and brave calls in Madrid with great character in such difficult situations. We can also note a very intense « pulling way » by both teams and very hard circumstances for french crew…
DeleteNo one expects a penalty on either occasion. For me, the first OFR was wrong, while I am very happy with the second: what matters is that such an important game is not ruined by a very clear error, not the silly minutiae about protocol
ReplyDeleteAs per the first penalty, it is obvious that the zero tolerance for clear holding offences displayed in the Euro RAP was also emphasised at the Winter Course. I'm surprised at the comments here: to me it is a clear foul, correct intervention by Brisard. Meanwhile, Mbappe pins himself to Rice and when the attacker does that, the defender always has to hold the attacker a bit to 'track' his movements (otherwise he can run away from the defender immediately). In this episode, it was theatre by the France striker to try winning a penalty, because Mbappe never had any intention to reach the ball. The intervention is surely a 'friendly' one; for the sake of making an example, I doubt Hernandez would have exempted Marciniak from this penalty call last week (so, with Germany-Italy this becomes quite a hot topic for the referees committee at the moment). Overall, I don't think Letexier ever looked totally settled in this match. He followed his style of 'only if it is a clear foul will I give it', but he missed at least two (clear) fouls early in the match, including one borderline-to-reckless barge. The 'way to heaven', as it was described very aptly on this blog, has been disturbed for the youthful-looking Frenchman. The popular view probably goes "this game has been too big for the young referee" and one must say, that is more-or-less correct.
ReplyDeleteThe first penalty is very comparable to this incident from the 2023 MLS playoffs (Referee: Rosendo Mendoza, VAR: Kevin Stott, the most experienced MLS referee ever): https://youtu.be/p6TcP09b1Go?si=fMnxev71Q46hdAF5&t=491 (8:11)
DeleteIn this video you hear the contradiction between the referee, who doesn't give the penalty due to lack of tactical impact, and the VAR, who thinks the hold is clear enough that it must be called anyways. Finally, the Manager of Video Review narrates that it should be given, but only because there was impact (a perspective which I cannot understand at all. There is 0.000 impact).
In my personal opinion, both these plays must be whistled as penalties and must be sent down by the VAR. I understand the desire to wave away borderline fouls when there is no impact on the play at all, but these situations are not borderline, they are clear, obvious holding fouls. Instead of asking referees to parse offenses through this “impact on play” lens, why don’t we just do the simple thing: give the penalty, and anyone who has a problem with it only has the foolish defender to blame! Referees need not bail the defender out.
Missed YC (at least) for Rüdiger.
ReplyDeleteI think fair play to Letexier for regaining and retaining control of this game in the 2nd half
ReplyDeleteAgree. A good, bad night for him!
DeleteTrue, it requires mental strength to continue 2nd half in a stoic manner like that. As if nothing happened!
DeleteSecond half was fine. First half from the moment he whistled the Mbappe penalty was really, really shaky. Perhaps the worst I’ve ever seen Letexier. He seemed afraid to take any decision against the losing team, which is very un-Letexier-like.
DeleteSome missed fouls in second half, today not the best Letexier, let's say...
ReplyDeleteHum hum. Don’t see some missed fouls you want to mention…For rudiger, difficult to spot on with him, very sneaky player…
DeleteSituations like the potential VC on Rudiger are always very difficult… how does one distinguish an incidental contact where, as a consequence of gravity and a need to balance oneself, a player’s foot lands on another with no reasonable opportunity to avoid it, versus a deliberate stamp that looks almost exactly the same?
ReplyDeleteIf my life depended on it, I would say that Rudiger did commit violent conduct in this situation, but it’s almost impossible to prove, so it’s correct for a discard the VAR to stay out of it.
*Brisard, not “a discard”
DeleteAgree and now good double YC including Rudiger. Good second half in general for Letexier.
DeleteWhat about the next appointments for Letexier, after today? What do you think? Maybe he will get another game with dfferent VAR?
ReplyDeleteAgree Chefren. We can argue that finally no influence on score and nobody will speak about refereeing issues here apart « refs watchers ».
DeleteWill be difficult to find room for him in the Champions League, because PSG are there, probably Turpin will get a semifinal, and probably they won’t use back-to-back Frenchmen in the other tie. I think big Europa League matches are likely.
DeleteGentelmans, good evening. To be honest, probbably the hardest game for officiating was Real-Arsenal in this UCL season. I will said,the standard performance of Letexier, with 2 OFR. First one, hard penalty to spot, excellent teamwork, good Var, but other one is so hard to explain. One thing that is excellent is that Letexier continue to officiate like he dont made mistake like that. Second half better. Good control of the game, correct disciplinary management, excellent time management and communication. Unfortunately, I dont see him in CL FINAL this year, even if I like,.
ReplyDeleteSo, i will start with early predictions for remain UCL games:
Barcelona-Inter: Kovacs/Turpin
Arsenal-Psg: Marciniak/Vincic
Final: Makkelie
I think the final ref had a quarter-final for sure.
DeleteMakkelie didn't get any CL game since barcelona-benfica, so clearly Rossetti is very disappointed with him.
Delete
Delete@xjz
If Benfica-Barcelona was the reason for Makkelie being excluded from Champions League, I invite you to explain WHY Obrenovic got another Champions League match after the horrible performance in Monaco? ;-)
And although I didn’t like Makkelie’s performance in Lisbon, his management has been harsh if we start comparing with other refs. Some are always backed, others or not. There is no equal framework imo.
The answer can be very obvious if you look at Obrenovic's nationality. I hate political factors being involved either, and i believe nobody likes it, but that's happening
Deleteref fot@, why do you insist with Makkelie for the final? he didn't have a KO game. so, how could a referee without a KO game to handle a final?
DeleteSemifinal
ReplyDeleteArs - Psg Vincic & Kovacs
Bar - Int Zwayer & Marciniak
No referees from the participating teams is the best solution.
I see 6 contenders for semi-finals : Kovacs, Marciniak, Oliver, Turpin, Vincic, Zwayer.
ReplyDeleteI believe the first OFR is wrong taking into account the high bar for intervention UEFA adopted. The one-handed holding with no impact on play should not lead to a penalty unless it's a new instruction from the Winter Course as Mikael stated above. While at the monitor, in my opinion Letexier's mimics indicated "well, no need to call me for this one but now I have to award a penalty".
ReplyDeleteAs for the second incident, clearly the better outcome was reached. It was far more simulation than a foul and, although we saw many no-interventions after similar incidents in the past because VAR could not prove no-foul on the images, I think it's good and fair to rescind such ultra-soft penalties.
The game was difficult to referee. Many unsporting behaviours, including time wasting by Arsenal (that was sensibly managed, well done!). Letexier's foul detection was so-so but regarding management it was really good, imo. The game could have easily gone out of control already in the first half but the Frenchman adapted an early Siebert approach, taking his time and slowing the game down in order to calm everyone and avoid frustration and retaliation fouls. This worked really well.
Disciplinary control was decent but two cards were missed: reckless/UB challenge by RMA22 (36'), continuous unsporting behaviour by RMA5 (51', 56'). RMA22's step on opponent was, imo, a violent conduct but absolutely impossible to assess such incidents nowadays (smala017 summed it up perfectly)
All in all, still a good performance by Letexier in a very challenging game, imo.
I’d say:
ReplyDeleteBarcelona-Inter: Zwayer GER
Inter-Barcelona: Kovacs ROU
Arsenal-PSG: Marciniak POL
PSG-Arsenal: Vincic SVN
In case of a final with PSG I bet on Oliver, but if it's with Arsenal I say Letexier with a different VAR.
My predictions
DeleteArsenal - PSG: Zwayer / Vincic
Barcelona - Inter: Turpin / Marciniak
Final: Kovacs
Letexier and Brisard was not good and saved only by the result.
ReplyDeleteThis good second half means nothing after first half. Good because game was over, if 1-0 in first half Letexier would lost this game. Imagine if it was 2-0 last 10 minutes. Best referee in the world under 35 year but when he has bad night we have to be honest.
Agree that Brisard puts him in 99% of problems but still he has the last word.
I liked much more Peljtos performance even if can not be fully compared as first leg.
To send Nyberg and Eskas before Peljto to club world cup is disgrace.
True. First of all, Letexier was lucky that Saka missed the penalty. It would be a credible decision if Letexier called it himself on the pitch, however this is not where VAR was invented for and brought him into trouble.
DeleteFurthermore, Letexier was lucky that the game ended with a clear (and big) scoreline. The game never really turned into a remontada. He’s saved by the result, as you said.
The second intervention, I liked this a lot and must praise Brisard. Remember that some conservative VARs (Van Boekel) would never request OFR here because of the small contact.
sorry, but Nyberg had a European Championship and Pejto not. this is why, Nyberg was selected for World Cup Clubs.
DeleteBut tbh Peljto was unfairly not selected to EURO just because Rosetti preferred Guida who was the worst referee of the tournament.
DeleteSince no one talked about Vincic:
ReplyDelete4 possible yc reckless follow through tackle for BAY#17
8 possible yc reckless tackle for BAY#8
19 PAI, correct play on
28 correct yc reckless for BAY#3
45 correct yc reckless for BAY#15
48 PAI, correct play on
58 possible handball before goal scored: directly before goal or not?
69 yc to INT#8 on the bench, missed live by broadcaster
90+3 missed yc reckless tackle to INT#36
90+6 yc to someone on Inter Bench, missed yc to BAY#44 for UB
Generally an expected level performance in a football focused game, always respected by players, no controversy.
4' https://streambug.org/cv/221282
Delete8' https://streambug.org/cv/3a1883
19' https://streambug.org/cv/a05508
28' https://streambug.org/cv/a32cfc
45' https://streambug.org/cv/8a5a26
48' https://streambug.org/cv/db2799
58' https://streambug.org/cv/ce710d
90'+3 https://streambug.org/cv/3bcba6
90'+6 https://streambug.org/cv/c69261
The most discussed incident is 58', the possible handball before goal, but I think impossible to say and it doesn't look like the player controlled by arm. In case of existing touch should have been punished because directly before goal in my opinion, but there aren't clear elements.
Possible to give one or two cards more, I think the referee was not fully aware ot the nature of the fouls in which he only whistled, and maybe more interaction in 90'+6 would have been good as well. He tried to solve it rather easily while most was still happening and Bayern player to be booked for his behavior. Let's say that in some aspects it was the classic Vincic, didn't want to engage too much himself (but we are talkinga about minor situations in this game).
I read some Kovács predictions for the Champions League final 2025 and somehow they surprise me a little bit. I think he is a very good referee(!), however it would be his 3rd UEFA final in four years. Were his performances really that good? I recall a lot of criticism regarding his disciplinary management (and not just in CZE-TUR) and Kovács has less tournament experience than other referees (like Michael Oliver).
ReplyDeleteMoreover, I think Kovács is impossible in case of a PSG-Barcelona final, after his RC last season in BAR-PSG, leaving Barcelona furious. Inter is no problem of course. I thought Kovacs didn’t referee well in Scotland. Bayern-PSG was poor as well. Honestly I was surprised that Kovács was backed after that game; as I wrote before, UEFA doesn’t treat referees equally after een poor performance (look at Makkelie). In Crvena Zvezda-PSV, Kovács issued a harsh RC and blocked passing lines with his poor positioning. But he always seems to get away with it.
Is Zwayer an option in the UCLfinal now that the German teams are eliminated and the final is in Munich? Initially I considered Zwayer to be in pole position for the Conference League final, but these semi-finals can throw all plans upside down. What speaks against Zwayer is the fact that he mainly officiated 1st leg matches instead of the tougher returns.
The third name is Oliver. He has been around for a long time and would be a good option in case of a PSG-Barcelona final.
To conclude:
DeletePSG - Barcelona: Oliver / Zwayer
PSG - Inter: Oliver / Zwayer / Kovacs
Arsenal - FC Barcelona: Zwayer / Letexier*
Arsenal - Inter: Zwayer / Kovacs / Letexier*
*No Brisard as VAR after yesterday. And Brisard already did the UCL final with Turpin.
The VAR discussion is an interesting one for sure. At this point I’m concerned they will give it to Pol van Boekel as a farewell (and he’s missing in the CWC and WEURO squad).
why do you hate Kovacs? you selected only his not good games. you are not talking about Real Madrid vs City and Liverppol -PSG.
DeleteReal-City was good, although the final score helped him. Liverpool-PSG was decent in a tight game.
DeleteI don’t hate Kovács, I dislike they way he’s managed. By the way, I can ask you the same question, you have been bashing Makkelie for weeks now.
I just wonder why UEFA backs Kovacs after a poor game, but they never seem to back Makkelie after a poor game? No referee has been perfect. It’s up to UEFA to manage them equally.
I don’t think some idiot podcaster (I don’t know who he is and don’t care) criticising his positioning really matters. Kovacs is perhaps the leading referee in the world for technically challenging matches (if he lost this reputation after Czech-Turkey, then for what my opinion is worth he regained it by refereeing three matches at the Gulf Cup outstandingly) but I’m not 100% sure he can replicate that in the Champions League. His performance in Liverpool-PSG was good but in Real-ManCity he never found a clear line at all, and in my view ‘got away with it’ a little bit. The problem seems to be that this season you can justifiably argue “too early” for every single candidate, with the exception of Makkelie, but I’m not completely sure he deserves it either. A tough decision awaits for UEFA!
DeleteMakkelie in 24/25:
Delete- Celtic-Bratislava: good performance. Correct penalty under the eyes of Rocchi.
- Salzburg-Zagreb: good. Including a good delayed call and RC.
- Liverpool-Leverkusen: very good. The advantage prior to the 2-0 was top notch.
- Sparta Prague-Atletico: good, but very one-sided game.
- Benfica-Barcelona: disaster imo. Not focused. And also unfortunate by the amount of box incidents. Difficult weather conditions as well.
- Lazio-Plzen: strong performance.
- Romania-Bosnia: wrong handball call imo, the whole sequence looked bad.
Based on the above overview, Makkelie does not deserve the final. However, I don’t like how UEFA managed him after his poor performances. Compare his management with Obrenovic, Massa, Mariani and Kovacs….
For me, Kovacs is the straightforward choice. He has gotten the best games this season (together with Letexier and Marciniak, I would say) - and managed the two recent KO stage games without bigger problems. Plus, he has the neccessary experience.
DeleteBut yes, PSG-Barca might be a problem.
Oliver and Zwayer also fulfill the general experience aspect, so they should be the first alternatives. But I see them behind Kovacs in this seasons' achievements. Neither a QF nor a R16 2nd leg for both of them.
BTW, Zwayer hasn't even done a CL QF (or SF) ever.
Before yesterday, I would have seen Letexier as an option as well. Overall experience is not so high, but he had a quite good season and was in good form.
Makkelie doesn't seem an option to me given the low number of appointments this year (no CL KO game, no QF at all, no NL).
“… managed the two recent KO stage games without bigger problems”
DeleteWasn’t his last KO stage game a 7.4 performance in Glasgow with two Var-interventions (Dogso and handball)?
Two Ofr I wouldn’t describe a performance without bigger problems. If you only refer to public/media attention you could be right, but on performance level……?
UEFA just cares about negative media attention, unfortunately….
DeleteSomething we have been criticizing for years. This was very different during Collina's era, back then the technical performance was more important. Now it's all about being a silent referee :-/
Yes, you are right.
DeleteI was thinking about the two CL games in Madrid and Liverpool and didn't consider his EL game - should have phrased that differently.
However I don't know, whether the two OFRs in Glasgow really are a problem for him. I guess, UEFA could take that as a reason against him, if they want to. But they could also ignore it, if they want him in the CL final or SF.
@Mikael,
ReplyDeleteAgree that none of the available names really stands out. This could be a season where final candidates are tested in the semi-finals again. One more form check and most importantly, waiting for the final pairings.
I just thought about a PSG vs Inter final. That final needs a very strong name with PSG and an Italian side involved. Would Rosetti trusts Oliver or Zwayer enough? I think PSG vs Inter will be allocated to Kovacs. PSG vs Barcelona could be a different story.
I have read all above and wants to say:
ReplyDeleteWhy do we leave the Laws of the Game? What about no impact of the players involved in the first penalty? Where is that written?
I stay with this because nowadays all has their own interpretation and many trust what is said and written. In the matches today the players use the arms in all situations to stop the opponent, it is not allowed, why are the players frustrated when the referee blow the whistle in this moment. It is because that near all referees accept that more or less. One more time, it is not allowed!
The matches are not fair today, too many things are passed and it is because we start in media, blogs, pods to create our own Laws of the Game. No impact??? Ball in play means freekick, penalty, red card. That's the only thing who is correct!