22 October 2025
18:45 CET - Istanbul (RAMS Park)
GALATASARAY SK (TUR) - FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR) Referee: Michael Oliver ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Stuart Burt ENG
Assistant Referee 2: James Mainwaring ENG
Fourth Official: Andrew Madley ENG
Video Assistant Referee: Andrew Dallas SCO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Clay Ruperti NED
UEFA Referee Observer: William Young SCO
UEFA Delegate: Frédéric Veraghaenne BEL
18:45 CET - Bilbao (Estadio de San Mamés)
ATHLETIC CLUB (ESP) - FK QARABAĞ AĞDAM (AZE) Referee: Igor Pajač CRO
Assistant Referee 1: Bojan Zobenica CRO
Assistant Referee 2: Ivan Mihalj CRO
Fourth Official: Zdenko Lovrić CRO
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
Fourth Official: Zdenko Lovrić CRO
Video Assistant Referee: Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fedayi San SUI
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Šajn SVN
UEFA Delegate: David Findlay SCO
21:00 CET - London (Stamford Bridge)
CHELSEA FC (ENG) - AFC AJAX (NED)
Referee: Felix Zwayer GER
Assistant Referee 1: Robert Kempter GERAssistant Referee 2: Christian Dietz GER
Fourth Official: Martin Petersen GER
Video Assistant Referee: Sören Storks GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Gianluca Rocchi ITA
UEFA Delegate: Vilmos Szabó HUN
21:00 CET - Bergamo (Stadio di Bergamo)
ATALANTA BC (ITA) - SK SLAVIA PRAHA (CZE)Referee: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Iker De Francisco Grijalba ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Alfredo Rodriguez Moreno ESP
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera Montero ESP
Video Assistant Referee: César Soto Grado ESP
Fourth Official: José Luis Munuera Montero ESP
Video Assistant Referee: César Soto Grado ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Michael Riley ENG
UEFA Delegate: Kimmo J. Lipponen FIN
21:00 CET - Frankfurt Am Main (Deutsche Bank Park)
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (GER) - LIVERPOOL FC (ENG)Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA Fourth Official: Jérémie Pignard FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
UEFA Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine NIR
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX
21:00 CET - Lisbon (Estádio José Alvalade)
SPORTING CP (POR) - OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE (FRA)
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Jure Praprotnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: Martin Matoša SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
Video Assistant Referee: Matej Jug SVN
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bram Van Driessche BEL
UEFA Referee Observer: Lutz Michael Fröhlich GER
UEFA Delegate: Bakar Jordania GEO
21:00 CET - Monaco (Stade Louis II)
AS MONACO (FRA) - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC (ENG)
Referee: Marco Guida ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Giorgio Peretti ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Giuseppe Perrotti ITA
Fourth Official: Simone Sozza ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Aleandro Di Paolo ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Boško Jovanetić SRB
UEFA Delegate: Luca Zorzi SUI
21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu)
REAL MADRID CF (ESP) - JUVENTUS FC (ITA)
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Markus Strömbergsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Peter Palencik SVK
21:00 CET - Munich (Alliaz Arena)
FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER) - CLUB BRUGGE (BEL)
FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (GER) - CLUB BRUGGE (BEL)
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Robertas Valikonis LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Robertas Valikonis LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett AUS
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Stavros Tritsonis GRE
UEFA Delegate: Iveta Bankova BUL
CL GS debut for De Burgos Bengoetxea
ReplyDeleteAnd with an Italian team too! That is some trust straight away. What is the story of this referee?
DeleteWould never happened with one of the big teams in Italy and Atalanta is not considered at same level. But it seems a right match for a Champions League debut to me.
DeleteFifty four matches is appointed referees these referees there is no at least one Portuguese referee appointed a match this is real punishment I don't understand until what is the problem between rosseti and Portugal referees this is clear exclusion and unprecedented marginalisation!!!
ReplyDeleteI saw Gustavo Correia take a game in the Second Round of the Europa League. Neither him nor his team were particularly good.
DeleteNo CL Game for Turpin and kovacs this week
ReplyDeleteThe german situation in CL is quite strange. Cannot unterstand why stieler is still missing. Zwayer and siebert are getting matches and the third elite is out. Is there a reason?
ReplyDeleteIs there interpretation what is happening for Portuguese referee from clear marginalisation?
ReplyDeleteScottish observer with Oliver's team and Scottish VAR?
ReplyDeleteNice-looking appointment for Rumsas again even if it might be a one-sided game.
Rumsas is not Elite material
DeleteWe should never talk about human beings as being "material"!
DeleteI think everyone agree with me that Portugal referees passes very difficult period.
ReplyDeletePinheiro just refereed the Uefa Supercup Final. I don't see any other Portuguese referee at his level now.
DeleteI think you need to make appointment with your psychiater again and you will get your antidepressant or maybe more narcotics to relieve your soul, dude. Everyone agree with you, did u blind or just stupid to read your replies. Godinho? Is he really true potential elite material, is he had the aura of Proenca or Soares Dias? IMO maybe he is better than Nobre, but surely he's didn't has elite material. I'm not againts Portuguese referee at all, but really annoying to read your obsession, even with your Arabic name I didn't understand at all, just support your origin, either Beida, Ghorbal, or whatever, I really appreciate if you support third countries to stand out much better than big FA hegemony. Sorry to all other users for read this comments.
DeleteI don't insult you like you insulted so me , so thank you
DeleteThank god, it turns out you can read, so make sure you read this, dude. I think many users here are very kind and don't insult you. But surely it's not me. If you don't want to be insulted, don't be annoying, baby. Thank you. This is the last time I insult you, the rest back to your God. Hallelujah.
DeleteI don't know what you mean annoyance I just express my opinion if one is annoying my opinion I don't care for that
DeleteYes, you expressed your opinion for like hundred times. Do you think we are all stupid here?
DeleteNo you are not stupid
DeleteStop it please. You’re polluting the blog with comments like this
DeleteWhich comment you mean ?
DeleteIgor Pajač will be the first Croatian referee at this stage of CL after 10 years, lets see how his debut goes, also with an important observer.
ReplyDeleteIvan Bebek was the last one?
DeleteYes,famous Real-Shakhtar game.
DeleteVincic with the big clash. And I must say, Obrenovic getting a relatively close matchup is also interesting.
ReplyDeleteAs expected, we have Vincic for Real - Juventus. That's why he got a low profile game in WC qualifiers, he had to be clean for this one.
ReplyDeleteAnd Dankert as VAR, in this case no option for the Slovenian VAR, who seems to have a break now (Jug will work with Obrenovic).
And... Obrenovic, after a long time the mission for committee seems to be accomplished. He appears now regularly in Champions League, didn't show significant mistakes in recent times, but still, for what he had done before, just my opinion, another referee would have had a different treatment to follow. Maybe that's obvious, but it must be said.
Rumšas with a rather low profile game after the important observation in his previous CL game, Bayern - Club Brugge not that bad as it could have been years ago, because now Belgian side clearly better, however it's good to appear again in CL and that's the first argument.
Guida gets another game and now he has 3 in 3 Matchdays.
Same for Letexier with three games, another regular assignment for the French.
Interesting to see Oliver in Istanbul, I thought about a less experienced referee here, given the opponents, but still committee considers the hot atmosphere in Istanbul. I would dare to say, in that particular case, that they made a field assignment (Oliver) rather based on the VAR, Dallas. Very rare to see the Scottish with the English, so aVAR that can suit to the game but a referee of more experience to be sure.
Zwayer in London with Rocchi, despite of the poor performance in Manchester City - Napoli, he should restart in a good manner.
Stieler doesn't get Champions League anymore, as somebody wrote above, indeed very strange. He appeared in Europa League on 2 October as only assignment so far, and this means he should be available, but not selected for the top European competition for clubs. It's impossible to know, but surely it's very particular and weird, more generally, the full career of Stieler in UEFA as Elite referee has many unclear chapters.
And finally, two debuts: De Burgos and Pajac.
About the Croatian, they try with another referee from the country, after the attempt with Strukan, easy to say it didn't go well.
We will see whether Pajac is better referee or not.
The Spanish: it looks like all is made to avoid to see once again Hernandez Hernandez on the field. That's a very poor signal for the referee from Canary Islands. It would be a condition of demotion, but we know, this doesn't happen. However, we never saw so harsh and drastic decision, after a certain time a referee has been always assigned again even after poor performances in a row, there can be something more behind. De Burgos was there for years and years, I remember a good Europa League game for him some years ago in San Siro (AC Milan) with Murat Ilgaz as observer, at that time, it looked like he was considered for CL, but he wasn't (mostly because they had other Spanish referees). To me, at a certain point, the technical assessments become something less important.
Pajac, 40 y.o. Another "old" referee to try. Anyone had seen his match before? I don't think if Sajn work as observer this is just a random appointment without hidden path before.
DeleteDe Burgos became international pretty young, he's still on a very good age (39). If we look at it, only Gil Manzano promoted to Elite being <40. Del Cerro was already 42/43, Sánchez Martínez 40/41 and Hernández Hernández 41/42. Martínez Munuera had his debut last year in CL with 42 as well (and a bad one with so many mistakes in Bayern Dinamo), so he's still on time, not to be an European top10, but a standard Elite referee.
DeleteOT, I wan't to know from the spanish readers on this blog, which referee is favourite for Classico in this weekend. Because they will be announced only with a day before the game.
ReplyDeleteWell,we can eliminate Gil Manzano and Munuera Montero for sure.
DeleteAlso,Hernandez Hernandez not an option after last years controversies, same as De Burgos.
That leaves us with 3 possible names:Sanchez Martinez,Soto Grado and Busquets Ferrer.
Imo,I think Busquets will get this Clasico,as someone else wrote on another post.
Sánchez Martínez seems to still be missing after getting injured at U20WC, I don't think he will get it.
DeleteMy guess is Soto Grado.
Alberola Rojas without a chance?
DeleteYes, he got the Atlético Madrid 3 weeks ago
DeleteObservations:
ReplyDelete• Oliver: a solid match for him, in a tensed atmosphere. The Norwegian club is also performing exceptionally well.
• Pajač: Finally, a Croatian referee back at the top level. Great to see.
• Zwayer: Observed by Rizzoli last week, now by Rocchi. Intense focus for the top candidate for the Champions League final 2026, who didn’t exactly kick off the season brilliantly in Man City-Napoli. I don’t fully get the choice of the match here: Ajax is struggling, and then Chelsea at home on English soil. That feels like a one-sided affair; this could’ve gone to a Category 1 referee. I would’ve preferred seeing the German in a “tougher” match. If this is his “under-the-radar” path to a European final, fine. But it’s being made far too easy for him.
• De Burgos Bengoetxea: Is he replacing Sanchez or Hdz Hdz?
• Letexier: A standard match for him, and he’s out of the running for Liverpool-Real (MD4) now. Personally, I find that a bit of a shame :)
• Obrenovič: A pretty good match for him. Congrats in advance on the upcoming promotion.
• Guida: A regular match for him.
• Rumšas: The situation with the two Lithuanian refs is impossible to follow.
I wouldn't really mind a 'swap' between De Burgos Bengoetxea and Hernández Hernández.
DeleteI'm really sorry for the Canario but both his domestic and international performances in the last couple of years have been quite weak on average. He was doing very well before that (did a very good job at the 2022 Copa del Rey final despite missing a 2YC) but ever since he got promoted to Elite there's been a steep decline in his performance.
And his positioning in the pitch is worse match after match. I can't think on a referee who disturbs the players and the game more than him.
DeleteLetexier had Liverpool-Real last year. So would be a bit strange to have that game two years in a row.
DeleteSo with those appointments we can expect Turpin as clear candidate for Liv-Real ?
Deleteyour predictions EL?
ReplyDeleteI really hope that Zwayer has a better CL match than the one yesterday....
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/oylpYqjxnbk?si=YiKJfBjQuA7cJGMB
ReplyDelete‘89 — Crucial penalty call and I’m sure Chefren will appreciate this from an Italian’s perspective. The player blocked a shot with the arm while his toes were touching the line. :)
WOW, defender very unlucky here, but indeed for the circumstances you described, it's correct to give penalty!
DeleteWell, at least I guessed Pajac in Bilbao ;) Oliver with a not so loud game, but CL at last, I was still waiting there for a Cat.1...Zwayer with Rocchi looks interesting…Guida/Letexier/Vincic/Rumsas/Obrenovic with "expected" games.
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect another debut with an observer like the Englishman Riley (unless I'm missing something, I don't remember him as a "weighty" observer).
But I wouldn't be surprised to see Hdz Hdz back to Cat.1 with a good game of De burgos... Adding no European game so far for him.
It's funny to see UEFA post in insta, they said Europe's elite referees are ready for action with Rumsas as photo. Is this clue for Rumsas going promoted :)
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, I wouldn’t be surprised if names like Stieler, Hernández, Grinfeld are demoted…Rumsas,Obrenovic and maybe Petrescu? Kavanagh? might take their place.
DeleteWe’ll see in December. I think it’s time to make some hard decisions.
I forgot Schnyder…With a strong signal today called Roberto Rosetti :)
DeleteForget about it, Diego. Rosetti has never demoted any referee from the Elite category ever since he took office, just ostracized these refs giving them 1st Cat-ish appointments until they retired (Collum, Kulbakov...)
DeleteAt this point I don't think there are serious candidates for December promotion besides Obrenovic and Rumsas. Maybe Kavanagh if he continues his good run, but tbh I've always seen him as a "safe" 1st Cat like Pawson rather than Taylor's replacement in the Elite. Petrescu had his chance last year but it seems Velasco Carballo rejected his performance in what should have been the decisive test (Benfica - Bologna)
That is the UEFA policy. They will simply not allocate top UCL games to elite referees or invite them to courses leaving it for the national associations to remove from fifA
Deletediego, Petrescu is category 1, not Elite. so, for what reason do you want that he could be demoted in Category 2? tell me reasons to be demoted. it's about Carballo who wasn't satisfied with him after a game.
DeleteUEFA don’t do demotion anymore, they just don’t get games
DeleteA good but not spectacular half from Pajac. His fitness and positioning in the attacking third can not be questioned, great to see him get wide and into the penalty area which has increased his credibility on decisions that have happened there. My only issue is that im the transitional phase he has got in the way of players tracking back at on one or two occasions.
ReplyDeleteHere are my observations:
Missed the first 13 minutes of the game so can't comment on that. Good communication and body language on 20' (warning GK for QAR for delaying the restart) and 36' (compassion and a smile when checking on an injured ATH player).
Good advantages on 39' (double armed advantage signal as well which is a personal favourite of mine) and on 41' to allow play to continue, letting the game flow.
Good no offside decision by AR2 for ATH goal.
44' wasn't convinced by his reaction for the potential penalty. Didn't signal no penalty or penalty , looked very passive and uncertain. I support the no penalty call but referee could have been more convincing on his body language and not looked as if he was waiting on VAR to make it for him.
Excellent no penalty call by Papac on 73'
ReplyDeleteOliver looking uncomfortable in Istanbul. Almost in the way of the play several times. Bad positioning. Missed a yellow card on Sane in 1st half.
ReplyDeleteSecond half watching Papac:
ReplyDelete66' challenge by an ATH player, has to either give defensive FK or attacking FK for handball, no decision is not an option here. Managed the fall out well but created his own problem there.
73' In real time I thought this was a clear penalty but replays showed touch on the ball, Papac thought and correctly awarded the corner, an excellent decision, a big decision given the context of the match. Papac handled the aftermath superbly as well.
Excellent advantage on 88' for ATH 3rd goal. Had whistle to the mouth but allowed shot to go and goal scored.
Summary:
Overall this was an easy game to referee with one big decision which Papac got correct. A really good decision which in live play looked a certain PK. I don't know how this referee would have faired in a more challenging game but he handled this one well with areas of real good refereeing and one or two areas of improvement. Technically good just the one incident on 66' which was below the standard. His use of advantage was excellent throughout and contributed to the game for me. Positioning in the attacking third was excellent for me but in the transitional phase of play needs to avoid players tracking back better as this happened in both halves.At times he displayed good body language and at points looked passive but overall was solid throughout. Overall I would like to see this referee again ideally in a more challenging environment to test his abilities better.
Agree, with a good management he can reach the Elite (or more).
DeleteAnd It’s Pajac ;)
I was worried what to expect given comments on here but was pleasantly surprised, not the disaster I was expecting
DeleteIt was indeed a good debut for the Croatian referee, the game was not very challenging as one could have expected, I think very fair, suitable for the scope. Just as remark, I agree with osmanabbot that he could have made more signals of being aware while assessing certain incidents, but that's not mandatory.
ReplyDeleteMissed RC for Balerdi imo in Sporting v OM. 2´.
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/10a269
DeleteNot a clear RC for DOGSO. You can give it but you can also have argument for SPA, thinking that meanwhile the other defender could try another very last attempt. Not immediate scenario of DOGSO for me, but red card would be accepted without issues.
DeleteZwayer OFR for RC in 16'
ReplyDeleteClip: https://streamff.com/v/33ad99a1
DeleteIMO should have been given live.
https://streamff.com/v/33ad99a1
DeleteCorrect OFR, always difficult to spot the exact point of impact of low contacts, but still, after Manchester now another early red card only after VAR intervention...
Zwayer was 3.2 seconds watching for the monitor. Agree with above. This should be spotted live
DeleteI agree as well. The fact that it took so quickly at the monitor tells me that Zwayer felt this was SFP live.
DeleteHard for me to see because the hit was just above the ground
DeleteNow correct PK and YC for CHE4 for a stamp.
DeleteIt is reported, even by Italian sources (so this must be rather evident) that De Burgos missed a possible red card for Atalanta's De Roon, in the early minutes of the game. He didn't even book the player, maybe he missed the foul. Can't check and can't provide a video at moment, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm not watching that game but it should be this incident then:
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/2e084f
Thank you!
DeleteDe Burgos and AR2 busy with previous whistle, they rather missed this one. I think VAR assessed as very "high" step on foot, but we are really at the border. Significant mistake by the Spanish officials but in a circumstance you can maybe understand (mentally loaded). Nevertheless, maybe another VAR would have intervened, even more if we say it was missed incident and not field assessment!
Ball was out before, that's why Burgos did not whistle the faul
DeleteCould VAR ask for an OFR in this case even if ball was previously out?
DeleteI guess yes, he could ask for an OFR
DeleteNo VAR intervention for punch Caceido on the back of a Ajax player
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a blow, but a normal challenge. Rightly so, no VAR intervention
DeleteAnd missed 2nd yc for Chelsea nr #4 now
ReplyDeleteThe experienced German at Stamford Bridge redeems his performance by awarding two clear penalties. First for a step on the foot, followed by a truly reckless challenge, both clear penalties.
ReplyDeleteOFR for Obrenovic in Lisbon after a penalty call. Never a penalty for me, even less than a supportable call, rather a wrong one, you can see more the movement by attacker to defender than the contrary. Penalty annulled after OFR.
ReplyDeleteNothing from Frankfurt. Easy game to officiate…Letexier good as always.
ReplyDeleteObrenovic fell for an obvious diving in Lisbon and VAR corrected the decision. The dive resulted in 2YC - correct.
ReplyDeleteEasy first half for Letexier, almost flowless.
ReplyDeleteflawless
DeleteLetexier made a communication mistake in the 7th minute of the first half. AR2 signal wrong offside call after the ball was deliberately played by the defender before reaching the attacker.
DeleteI do not see that as a deliberate play. Good call by Letexier.
DeleteEven if not a deliberate play, I think he was in an ONside position. The flag shouldn't have been raised. But if that's the worst thing we can say, then it's not been a bad night for the French crew
DeleteDirty Ajax. Great performance by Zwayer.
ReplyDeleteCompliments to Zwayer, correctly calling three legitimate penalties without VAR.
DeleteIndeed, three correct PKs.
DeleteVery, very challenging 1H in London for the German ref.
https://streamin.me/v/1a4147fe
ReplyDeleteOFR by Obrenovic.
I know that we should talk about perception and the Slovenian very likely was deceived, but for me the problem in such situations is that there is a trend to think immediately about the penalty, given a situation that mentally can resemble it, but maybe a few seconds more would help in making a more appropriate decisions. Most of the mistakes in my opinion come from very early whistles without real basis according to what one has detected (now I say that as general argument and not only in particular for this situatioon).
The third one for Zwayer: https://streamff.com/v/1e3f063a
ReplyDeleteVery rare first half at Stamford Bridge.
It started very negative for him, then he recovered with three penalties without VAR. Let's wait for second half, but with that score and all happened in first half, the challenge could be already considered over for him as for today, I think.
Nevertheless, one, as very interesting remark, should wonder how much weight committee will give to the missed SFP.
Shame Zwayer missed the RC on-field but after that all penalties given correctly without the help of VAR.
ReplyDeleteZwayer all 3 pk correct. He is very good when it comes to pk and mandatory yellow cards but seems that he try to avoid red cards. Agree with Chefren that he should spot both this one and one i Manchester without VAR.
ReplyDeleteLetexier‘s positioning is so good, he how he corrigated his position to bring himself in a good position to follow the attack before the fourth Liverpool goal was just wow
ReplyDeleteLetexier easily the best referee I have ever seen live. Easy match, but insane how much he is in control
DeleteOf course, it was an easy game for him, and many referees would not have had any problems at all. But he moves so elegantly on the pitch, which really impresses me.
Delete+1.
DeleteAnother OFR for Obrenovic, red card for violent conduct annulled. It was rather a simulation by opponent who pretended an injury.
ReplyDeleteA bit of lost control by the Slovenian, today back in a very poor performance after a rather good period.
Good performance from Vincic . Easy game but he was solid as usual
ReplyDeleteyes, he was in control because it was a fulli football-oriented game. But I cannot understand how the YC for Brahim Diaz is not a RC for SFP. Studs above the ankle, no chance to play the ball at all.
Deletefully*
DeleteI just saw the contact could have bren whistled that is true.. didn’t see it well live
DeleteWe know obrenovic gets the matches not his quality but another things very poor performance for slovenian
ReplyDeleteWe know portugese referees get the matches not another things but their quality
DeleteSeems like a rather quiet evening for every referee involved bar Zwayer and probably Obrenovič.
ReplyDeleteNo mention at all for Monaco and Munich games, the one for the Lithuanian was very easy as expected, don't know about the other for the Italian.
ReplyDeleteAs for the rest, I would say another positive set with something to review only for Obrenovic and Zwayer.
Obrenovic is not an elite level referee sadly
DeleteYes, very easy game for Rumsas but still, I wasn’t really convinced tbh. No line in foul selection and one clear free kick in very good position missed in first half. Also I could see some positioning issues. Don’t get me wrong, he was totally fine but still not a clean officiating IMO.
DeleteNo RC?
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/d4ef00
1) I am sure that if Juventus player had fallen down in pain, the card would have been different (and also the VAR would have acted in another way)
Delete2) if a “good performance” is when players do not end up killing opponents, fine, excellent performance by Vincic. But there is no chance this is not a RC.
It checks all the SFP boxes, and let’s be honest, over half an hour against Real Madrid at home down to 10 men, and the result could have been very different for Juventus…
DeletePersonally, I believe we shouldn’t encourage players to exaggerate fouls. But at the same time, this is the prime example of why many players do it. The reaction was minimal this time, and the Real player gets away with it.
Better to give red card here, I think Dankert (Rosetti opted for the most trusted VAR for this game) assessed the intensity and thought that it wasn't a very clear red card. Also, the argument that player tried to continue without making a big scene surely changed the perception. Imagine the player immediately falling down with big pain and screaming, nobody could have denied the action, given the replay, so a red card would have been very likely analyzed more deeply. You are right when you say that we shouldn't invite players to exaggerate contacts, but in some cases if they act fairly, it's possible that a wrong decision is taken.
DeleteAdd to that, the well-known style of the Slovenian, had to issue only one card in this game, he wouldn't have liked to give red... but under this point of view and taking everything into account, the rest of the game was very fair, he was only called to make this particular call, can we say he justified his assignment? In other words, would another referee, have had a difficult game? Hard to believe...
Also missed DOGSO on Vinicius who clearly got pulled in the shirt.
DeleteOn CHE-AJA: I was the one who said: this match can go to an experienced Category 1 referee, let’s say Obrenovic, because it’s going to be a one-sided affair. That turned out to be true, so I stand by that statement.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, more KMIs than expected.
• The red card is something Zwayer should have spotted live on the pitch. A referee like Letexier, for example, would have “nailed” this one, but as someone in the comments already noted: many referees are hesitant to issue red cards.
• It’s commendable that Zwayer recovered afterward. We often see referees, after an OFR, get stuck in a mindset of “I’ve already got a 7.9, so what does it matter?” Well, this is a great example of how it can also play out differently.
At the same time, missing a red card is the difference between maybe an 8.7 masterclass and an 8.2-8.3 or so. All in all, I think I would have swapped Zwayer and Obrenovic.
The hesitation to give RCs comes partly from UEFA’s “11 vs 11” policy, which puts entertainment first, and maybe from Rosetti’s approach of dodging controversy at all costs.
ReplyDeleteLook at Eskas’ recent case: he gives a doubtful penalty on the pitch, VAR stays quiet, it affects the game, yet the Norwegian is “rewarded” with Europa League, while his VAR’s already back in action.
I assume, avoiding controversy at all costs pushes more KMIs to VAR. Zwayer will probably be back in the Champions League soon since his obvious mistake was fixed by VAR. Still, I maintain that these are the moments where top Elite referees can distinguish (!) themselves. At the same time, it feels unfair to penalize someone like Eskas whereas missing an obvious red card, later corrected, seems to be rewarded.
It was asked some days ago by somebody here on the blog.
ReplyDeletecCAF published a very long list of referees invited to a preparatory course before the AFCON tournament, a new one without Doue: https://ibb.co/1YBRBfbZ
I realize that 'Janny Sikawe' got divorced and separated from his 'z'.
DeleteObrenovic’s performance was a complete disaster.
ReplyDeleteNot only has he been saved three times by VAR (1 for overturning a PK, 1 for allowing a goal initially cancelled for offside, 1 for donwgrading a RC into YC - only mistaken identity was not invited to the show :)), but he never gave the impression to have the slightest bit of control on the game.
Plus his style looked rather fussy, he didn’t appear sure of any decision he made, and I don’t know how to explain it but it looked like he wanted to take decisions as quick as possible, to the detriment of technical accuracy.
For me the 2’ situation is much more DOGSO than SPA, although I get why VAR stayed silent.
Vincic and Obrenovic’s performances don’t seem to matter much. Obrenovic is pretty much a lock for his promotion. It was supposed to happen last year. But a misstep under Rosetti’s eyes is obviously a no-go, as the latter doesn’t want to risk his own “credibility”.
DeleteVincic will keep getting those big games with his usual lenient style. He’s a solid manager, but let’s be real: in 10 years, nobody’s gonna be talking about some legendary call he made in a high-stake match. Unlike Marciniak. Vincic’ appointments in crucial rounds or playoffs are rarely the most tricky ones.
Someone here pointed out that French refs didn’t get finals under Platini presidency. The shift under Ceferin is notable…
I agree with you. Vincic has two continental finals under his belt, but it's hard to remember which match he delivered a masterclass in refereeing at the highest level. Quite the contrary, he's always regarded for controversial situations in the game. Skomina was completely different: he knew how to prepare and demanded technical and mental strength for the matches he was asked to play.
DeleteYes any French referee did not officiate any final in any European final because uefa head referee was collina and collina is justice despite uefa president was French super star michel platini who was in clear he does any compact for the job of collina and referees
ReplyDelete