2025/26 UEFA Champions League, KO Play-Offs: second legs, second set of games, 25 February 2026.
18:45 CET - Bergamo (New Balance Arena)
ATALANTA BC (ITA) - BORUSSIA DORTMUND (GER)
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Íñigo Prieto López de Cerain ESP
Fourth Official: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP
Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP
UEFA Referee Observer: Konrad Plautz AUT
UEFA Delegate: Kurt Zuppinger SUI
21:00 CET - Paris (Parc des Princes)
PARIS SAINT GERMAIN (FRA) - AS MONACO (FRA)
Referee: István Kovács ROU
Assistant Referee 1: Mihai Marica ROU
Assistant Referee 2: Ferencz Tunyogi ROU
Fourth Official: Szabolcs Kovacs ROU
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Sokol Jareci ALB
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack LUX
21:00 CET - Turin (Juventus Stadium)
JUVENTUS (ITA) - GALATASARAY (TUR)
Referee: João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR
Fourth Official: João Gonçalves POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Martin Ingvarsson SWE
UEFA Delegate: Neil Morrow NIR
21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu)
REAL MADRID CF (ESP) - SL BENFICA (POR)
Referee: Slavko Vinčić SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaž Klančnik SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Andraž Kovačič SVN
Fourth Official: David Šmajc SVN
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Daniele Chiffi ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Marinus Koopman NED
UEFA Delegate: Mauro Tonolini ITA
A few interesting decisions in the Scottish Premiership yesterday:
ReplyDeleteLivingston v Rangers https://youtu.be/n8a3MAoEueo?si=G7lF0dOirhihVuxV
2:20 - straight forward DOGSO red card.
4:25 - a lot of controversy. Nothing given on field, VAR judges it to be outside the penalty area (correctly) but not DOGSO red card so ultimately it was a play on.
There has been a number of DOGSO red cards in Scotland the last few weeks so I was surprised this wasn't.
Celtic v Hibernian https://youtu.be/VzMwxiT7eP0?si=cSeoaF8dxuVen0mJ
3:05 - OFR for violent conduct. Good intervention. Then immediately from the restart a penalty claim for holding (dismissed due to it being fleeting would be my guess).
Also from Saturday.
St Mirren v Motherwell https://youtu.be/VzMwxiT7eP0?si=cSeoaF8dxuVen0mJ
2.15 - RC for SFP overturned after OFR.
4.00 - RC on field for violent conduct supported by VAR.
Finally, Aberdeen vs Dundee. https://youtu.be/YFc5S7UtI7E?si=-EGBzyVRHgJfASJF
0.55 - penalty given on field, reviewed for inside outside. Decided it was inside but OFR for DOGSO red card as no intent to play the ball
https://youtu.be/0CVshHWeS9k?si=8G4gJh29LA-Amjv1
DeleteCorrect link to St Mirren v Motherwell
It should be Ahmed with Rosetti now.. Pinheiro got second appointments..
ReplyDeletePinheiro might be the only referee to officiate
ReplyDelete2 KO Play-Offs matches in a row
And, in the end, Pinheiro is the winner. Only referee with two games in the CL Play-offs. So very likely the switch of observers they made was also related to that, as originally there was a Portuguese observer here. One can easily guess, after first leg score and events, they changed the name. Big trust for Pinheiro, definitely loved by Rosetti, one can't exclude he will officiate a final at the end of this season, possible the Europa League, but there will be many candidates for sure.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, one must discuss about the management by committee, surely once again we could say they could planned it better but it seems there are many factors they want to tale always into account.
The absence of Marciniak is one of the reasons, you can see Pinheiro with the Polish VAR, it's easy to say that the Polish would have got one of these games.
About the rest, expected choices in Bergamo, as guessed by Philipp, as well as in Paris. Kovacs very often assigned to PSG. Vincic in Madrid after the big controversy in both two recent games, MD8 and first leg of OK Play-offs.
Yes, the change could just have been Pinheiro for Marciniak in Juventus, forcing a change of observer due to nationality.
DeleteIn that case, there is no more indication, that Massa was a replacement. Which makes sense, because independent from the first leg result, he is a reasonably choice for the game in Newcastle.
Pinheiro now works in the 7th consecutive CL week!
If things go well on Wednesday, he will be indeed a candidate for late stages and finals and his chances for the WC will be higher than ever.
That was my opinion that I wrote last week in the blog , the best performance showed by a referee in first legs was joao calm , firm , respect the players I am not surprising if he appointed another game in champions league or Europe league next week
ReplyDeletePinherio, is that you
DeleteI guess so :)
DeleteChefren, I completely agree. Pinherio definitely wasn't the right referee for the second match. When the score was 5-2, a chance arose for a developing referee like Pinherio. And it certainly seems that referee assignments have changed depending on the score in the last few days.
ReplyDeleteI think it is not about love it is the performance
ReplyDeleteBig appointment for Sanchez Martinez ... Again surprised to see two spaniards get big appointments ..
ReplyDeletePinheiro present again, very surprising ..
I think Kovacs shouldn't have been used in that match, after the first leg, could have appointed someone else ...
Seeing Dingert here means that there was most likely no touch of hand from Esposito before Inter goal from last week.
ReplyDeleteI am bit surprised to not see Anthony Taylor getting a match. He would be an obvious choice for any of these 4 matches (maybe not Real vs Benfica given Mourinho’s recent past). Is he being kept for an EL clash or to the next CL round?
ReplyDeleteApparently, he can't do Italian teams (since the EL final) and German teams (since the EURO QF). And he just had PSG in January.
DeleteSo it was actually hard to find a game for him.
Even though we know “how it works” I found that kind of management unbelievable. Punish referees for an alleged mistake that took place 4y ago is outrageous IMO. What if a player misses a penalty or a gk conced an easy goal? Will they not play for 10 games in a row because of that?
DeleteSometimes clubs/politics seems to have a louder voice than who nominate
Yes I absolutely agree with jpl
DeleteIt is outrageous,bu at the same time,Roma had chance to win Euro trophy one of the very rare times.
DeleteIf he made right decision, none of this would happen.
But,since it is mistake very big mistake solution to keep him from Italian teams is very simple.
Could you imagine the outrage if you had for example,Bebek to handle Turkish team after Fenerbahce fiasco?
That goes the same for Taylor.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWe are possibly witnessing the start of UEFA RefCom's final push for João Pinheiro to be at the World Cup.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know who is pushing Pinheiro… Two playoff matches, what is going on?
ReplyDeleteAhmed
DeleteI think it is wrong one ref to two KO playoffs in row on this early stages of the knockout phase
DeleteChefren, I have a question for you: Is there a chance that Schärer returns to CL with a first leg eight final after his good performance in Istanbul?
ReplyDeleteI didn't read your question before, sorry for that.
DeleteIt's in my opinion possible, because before the injury he was in focus and he had good performances, being liked by committee, but the problem is represented by the recent times. Definitely a few games, in case they should appoint him based on the trust and nothing else. Just one game in Istanbul could be seen as not enough. I didn't watch that one in full but the crucial moments in the end of first half, however I think he wasn't challenged anymore after that. Honestly, I don't know, how to read the fact that at moment he is a WC preselected referee is a problem, given the long injury, so let's wait. All in all, for me it would be possible, but in reality I don't expect him before other names.
No problem, thanks for your reply. I would be very pleased if he gets back on his way as he was last season.
DeleteYou can look at it two ways, really.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand, it is a strong political push for Pinheiro, to strengthen his case for a World Cup ticket.
On the other hand: Pinheiro getting this game could also mean he’s not a 100% lock yet and still has something to prove. Maybe he’s seen as a bit less nailed-on right now than Nyberg or Eskas.
Another scenario being he’s sadly not going to the World Cup and the ref comm looking to protect another name before Collina and Bussaca announce their final choices. ?
DeleteStill, if Pinheiro is under focus in order to decide if he will go or not at the WC, then why he is not observed by a Committee member in none of the games? Edward Foley and Martin Ingvarsson are not even in the Development or Convention Panels if I am not mistaken.
ReplyDeleteWe all need to congratulate Ahmed (maybe Pinhiero himself in disguise) for predicting this appointment.
ReplyDeleteStrange situation with PL appointments for the upcoming double game week. Jones/Harrington/Hooper/Brooks/Salisbury all seem to be injured and Taylor/Oliver haven't been appointed to either GW. So it means that 8 referees will have a game on the weekend then the midweek straight after...
ReplyDeleteTaylor/Oliver will be in Dubai for the FIFA seminar.
DeleteWhere is letexier the referee which was praised by all bloggers by his performance except me
ReplyDeletePlease João, you have two matches. Calm down.
DeleteLetexier will be used for a final unless he commits a really huge mistake .. you will see by the end of the season
DeleteThe only thing which letexier is good is showing cards for coaches and assistant coaches
DeleteWith all my respect Abdiaziz, your opinion above on Letexier is beyond any comment
DeleteLetexier is a good referee who has a secure spot at the World Cup. Joao is one of many UEFA referees who, in my opinion, won't be going to the World Cup.
DeleteIf Pinheiro is selected for the WC then, IMO, he should only be a reserve referee.
DeleteLet's not forget that his experience in FIFA tournaments is limited and he is an Elite referee for 1 year. Definitely too soon.
After the recent controversies at the Estádio da Luz, does anyone believe that Ceferin will be able to watch this game in Madrid through Vincic, his compatriot? lol
ReplyDelete@Chefren:
ReplyDeleteHow is possible Chiffi will be VAR in Newcastle and the day after AVAR in Madrid? 🤔
For Champions League matches, the VAR referees are based in Nyon and work the matches from the centralized VAR rooms in Nyon. So VAR referees are usually VAR one day, AVAR the next
DeleteYes CarlRDM, but it seemed a bit strange for me. Two matches in two days although at Nyon site
DeleteThere's been times where VARs have done 3 matches in a row Tuesday through Thursday
DeleteIn recent times, I also saw the same VAR working twice two days in a row as main VAR for a UEFA game, but some years ago, when they started with this "Nyon" project, VAR Room from Switzerland, it wasn't the same, they managed it in a very different way. Few games to each VAR. Now it seems they believe when a VAR is called in Nyon for an European week, he can execute all the duties on consecutive days without overload or issue. It's not the same in domestic assignments, indeed, and one can be surprised. They are considered rather as "professional" VAR.
DeleteZwayer in charge of KRC Genk - Dinamo Zagreb with his usual assistants (source: Instagram dfb_schiris)
ReplyDeleteWhy was the referee for the JUV-GS match changed? The original referee for this game was Marciniak. What is the influence of the Italian lobby in appointing Pinheiro, who just officiated a match last week, to this game?
ReplyDeleteWe can't say that the original referee for this game was Marciniak, because the fact that he was injured was already known at the moment of the assignments. He was out from previous CL MD7 and 8 as well. So the name was very likely another but it's really difficult to guess. For sure there was a change because the original observer assigned was from Portugal and he couldn't observe Pinheiro, then appointed for the game. In my opinion, committee very likely could never guess that Galatasaray would have ended in this way, being the very favorite team to qualify, putting the Italian team in trouble.
DeleteSaid that, let me clarify about the rest of your comment: we don't discover anything new if we say that Italian teams, especially in particular situations, have different and particular treatments. The very unfair thing is that in this way, committee doesn't care at all about clubs from other nations, they have focus only on that. But.. there isn't any lobby, here you can be sure, nothing special, it's just Rosetti extremely worried of ensuring good referees to Italian teams (otherwise he is heaveily critiziced). For example, in Inter - Bodo and Atalanta - Borussia Dortmund there was nothing about that, as all the original assignments were confirmed, but the game involving Juventus turned into a very challenging one now.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI read the original appointment was marciniak evidence existence Polish video assistant referee because pinheiro doesn't work polish video assistant referee
ReplyDeleteOnce again, Rocchi, without real alternatives, has been forced to assign Sozza to another big game, Roma - Juventus. He had already officiated the first leg in Turin. Definitely no other options. Very controversial season for him, with some extremely poor games, Lazio - Fiorentina, Inter - Fiorentina. Now I wish he will have a good performance at least in this one, it's among the hottest clashes in serie A due to a big rivalry between the teams.
ReplyDeleteTo follow, on 8 March, there will be Milan's derby. It will be also crucial for the title, even if you can already say that Inter is about to win it without any issue. Many criticisms against Rocchi by Milan after Milan - Parma and the controversial Parma goal, allowed after OFR, that decided the score in favor of away-team.
My idea about Milan's derby is Doveri, the classic standard choice by committee when they are in trouble. The other candidate, Guida, is not well seen by Inter for some previous incidents. He has been assigned as VAR in Cremonese - Milan (Massa referee) and for this reason he shouldn't be considered for Milan's next game.
Chiffi performance, as expected, was assessed as very negative in Atalanta - Napoli: official confirmation that penalty was a mistake and VAR was right in intervening, while about the disallowed goal, the idea of the committe is that this was rather referee's fault, maybe not a scandal in case of VAR intervention, but they gave exclusive fault to pitch decision, putting VAR in an extremely difficult situation (indeed the clip of the incident was shown and VAR confirmed in three seconds without saying anything).
Now Colombo has been sent to Napoli's game, after his last game, Napoli - Roma, with the same team two weeks ago, his last serie A appearance. I write that to make you understand how Rocchi works and how many referees he trusts... it's a number close to 0.
Meanwhile in Germany, Sven Jablonski has been appointed to Dortmund - Bayern on Saturday, the second Klassiker for him.
DeleteObviously a deserved appointment for the new German Elite Referee.
Mariani could also be an option for Milan-Inter. He doesn't have a match this round.
DeleteNot seen the whole game but Sanchez Martinez seems in control. Though he will be lucky if it stays that way at this score because his movement/positioning is very passive.
ReplyDeleteSo far, a good performance from the Spanish referee in a tight match. Not very challenging in terms of incidents, but very open to all outcomes. But what I still don't like about him is the way he shows yellow cards, where he seems angry at the players. If I were a player, his body language would provoke a negative reaction in me, I don't know why, but that's the impression I get. It doesn't seem natural when he shows yellow cards; he seems to be seeking an authority that feels artificial, when he could show them in a more appropriate way, with firmness but nothing more than that.
ReplyDeleteClear PK missed by Sanchez Martinez at 94'
ReplyDeletePenalty and red card imo
ReplyDeleteAfter good game, Sanchez missed the big one in the very end when a crucial incident materialized in a very unexpected way.
ReplyDeleteRed card for SFP and penalty to Atalanta.
Despite of having slightly kicked ball before, clear SFP for me, correct by VAR.
Should have been spotted live, referee had all elements, rather very poor by him to need VAR, really sorry.
He issued a 2YC I think, should have been a RC for SFP
DeleteIt is never ever a SFP. It’s reckless. Nothing more.
DeleteHe kicks him square in the forehead. How is that not endangering the safety of an opponent?
DeleteReckless is correct.
DeleteThe criteria for a serious foul play are not met. He does not jump head-on into him and only tries to play the ball recklessly.
It is 6-7/10. Nothing more.
If the aim is not to protect players, you can go with YC for reckless, if you want to protect players, RC for SFP.
DeleteThe defender raised the leg in that way without being aware of the consequence, this was very dangerous action.
Possible Chefren. But I guess it is classified as reckless & YC.
DeleteI think the argument for Reckless UB over SFP is pretty easy, actually.
DeleteHe's not kicking with excessive force. He's reaching back to try to clear the ball in desperation. It's not a straight leg. He can't be sure exactly where the opponent's head is. And the kick itself isn't endangering the safety (indeed, a combination of the challenge from both is what creates the danger; this sort of duels can inherently be dangerous).
We'd do well to remember IFAB's definition of reckless: "when a player acts with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent"
That's it. That's what happened here. He desperately stuck his leg up and backwards and his act had complete disregard to the danger or consequences for the opponent. It's definitionally a yellow card. SFP is something more.
Yes.
DeleteCompletely understandable to miss the extent of the contact in real time but it's a good VAR intervention
ReplyDeleteI mean it probably is a penalty but I feel like the Dortmund defender was also unlucky.
ReplyDeleteHe is, it's accidental but ultimately intent isn't relevant in football outwith violent conduct. The outcome is he kicks him straight in the forehead so it's a definite penalty
DeleteA very difficult decision for the Spanish referee, and a penalty was awarded along with a second yellow card for the Dortmund defender. What madness!
ReplyDeleteIMO correct intervention, as Bensebaini kicks Krstović head along with the ball.
ReplyDeleteVERY GOOD decision of VAR SPAIN CUADRA PERNANDEZ but not good decision of REFEREE SPAIN SANCHEZ MARTINEZ but he changed and it was CORRECT
ReplyDeletehttps://streamff.com/v/5fc56e39
ReplyDeleteHere the clip, in my opinion under a (football) technical point of view, defender is guilty of raising the leg in that way without looking before, so he takes the responsibility of committing such a foul. I think one can't say he was unlucky.
Agree Chefren. PK + SFP. It’s unbelievable ref needed VAR call in a so clear and evident foul.
DeleteThere is small touch the ball but this is not excuse.Defender take a risk use studs to create contact head of oponent.IMO PK+RED CARD(SFP)
ReplyDeleteA clear penalty for Bergamo, unfortunately missed by the referee, but VAR saved it. A yellow/red card would have been appropriate in my opinion. A straight red would have been excessive.
DeleteGood Hans 1!
DeleteSpeaking of Spanish VAR's.... you have a strange situation starting this season where referees like Cuadra Fernandez are VAR's in the CL but can only be AVAR in La Liga due to La Liga only using VAR's who are no longer on-field referees...
ReplyDelete6' Possible penalty on Vinicius after he shot on goal, late challenge with ball kicked before by attacker.
ReplyDeleteProtests by Real Madrid but Vincic played on.
Should have been whistled by referee, I agree it's not a clear penalty for VAR.
For me that's a penalty for Real Madrid. Ball's in play, he just seems to wipe him out
ReplyDeleteVideo:
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/f3de22
Maybe not a full (direct contact) and the feeling that attacker used a bit the situation to fall down?
In other words, could you say 100% reckless (that should be the argument for giving it)?
DeleteThere's always been a tendency for referees to ignore fouls after the ball has been played. Perhaps a limit to the actual amount of contact is the reason for no penalty
DeleteIt’s o course a blatant penalty if referees followed the law. It’s just a worldwide tradition for decades to ignore any penalty because they already made a shot.
DeleteWould have been very soft imo. Slight slight contact. Shoot already taken. No impact to the game whatsoever and vini delays his leg trying to make contact. Vini could easily have avoided otamendi if he wanted
DeleteYC for reckless challenge by PInheiro to Osimhen.
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/54842e
No dogso right?
DeleteSPA. You have the other defender in case that for me can intervene for sure if attacker goes with the ball.
DeleteI think so simple YC for yildiz
DeletePossibl foul before 2-1 by Real Madrid: but also offside.
ReplyDeleteOffside solved the situation, VAR intervention. However, it wasn't foul for me, Real Madrid kicked ball before keeper intervention.
The Portuguese referee has definitely changed his style. Today very aware of the game he is officiating. Full of cards in first half. Never seen like that before.
ReplyDeleteVincic invents a none existant freekick on 39 to get real madrid out of danger
ReplyDeletePenalty call:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/92bad4
Very good that he delayed the whistle, to wait and see.
Possible YC for reckless? I think rather mandatory.
I think yellow card
DeleteWhat is with refs when they whistle penalty and their tendency to not show YC,it's happening all over Europe?
DeleteWe have this,we had Celta-Mallorca this weekend where clear pulling in the box was not bookable offence(https://youtu.be/sMwOrU3b7vI?si=8K7bAWfb88cxe7qr. ,0:55)
,Getafe vs Girona (https://youtu.be/ekjwxoB0DRg?si=Oyq5g2hyjSqtYSOt. , 2:05)
Pulling and reckless fouls are just being awarded with a penalty,YC is not existing anymore when penalty is whistled.
Missed YC now in 45+3, but otherwise very good Pinheiro I think. Alert, calm and strict. Also the penalty kick management was good, even if a YC could have been given, but I don't think it's mandatory. Referee is part of an entertaining match.
ReplyDeleteA great first half for Pinheiro, I think there should have been a yellow card for the penalty. But the hard part starts now Galatasaray players are faking a lot of injuries to cool down the game and will increase this. Good Luck
ReplyDeletePanheiro is losing his previously good form. He missed necessary yellow cards, e.g., in the 45+4 minute against a Juve player with his studs showing, and an opponent was fouled
ReplyDeleteAlso,about Sanchez Martinez and his missed penalty and RC call that was overruled by VAR,2 words abou that that sums him up;
ReplyDeleteNo courage.
He needed courage and bravery to make that decision and that's why VAR is a good thing,they made the right decision.
But at the same time,basic refereeing and decisions are so dependent on VAR that it is just unbeliavable.
Clear 2nd YC,even straight RC.
ReplyDeleteThis is Never a RC! reckless… & 2nd YC….
DeleteDon’t really understand why VAR ask him to review it 2nd YC was correct imo.
ReplyDeleteexcessive; there was no kick, just an unfortunate landing. A yellow/red card would have been justifiable, but VAR should never intervene
ReplyDeleteEspecially after what Rossetti said on this obvious mistake that should activate VAR, really surprising here.
DeleteSorry, but this RC is simply ridiculous, the player is just landing with his foot on his opponent, looking in an other direction. For me not even YC, just an accident, nothing else. Pinheiro IMO with a very bad 1st half, missing several clear YCs, and now this absurde decision after looking in his TV long time, for me this is his goodbye to more CL matches this season and to his ambitions for the worldcup.
ReplyDeletePinheiro nonsense decision 5’ sec/half with 2 YC modified in direct RC after VAR call: no intenzional touch due to dinamic action and no attitude in YUV player. Ref out of concentration and loosing righ control of the game. Poor. Too poor for an Élite in CL
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think the decision should have been?
DeleteOnly kick. No disciplinary sanction.
DeleteThe player lands back on the ground from the air ball. The laws of gravity. What would it be like if the game continued?
DeleteFree kick only would had been enough. The law of gravity doesn’t equate to careless.
DeleteI think the game should have continued considering the player can't stay suspended in the air.
DeleteI was live in Bergamo just back of the net of the penalty incident and yes it was a quite clear penalty. But guys, except from this, Sanchez has been almost perfect. I was impressed with his performance today
ReplyDeleteAnyone links for the decisions of Pinheiro and Kovacs?
ReplyDeleteVERY GOOD decision of REFEREE ROMANIA KOVASC double yellow card COUBABOULI of MONACO
ReplyDeletePoor 2nd YC by Kovac imo
ReplyDeletecareless foul, nothing more indeed
DeleteSoft YC especially for a 2nd and clear exaggeration by hakimi too
DeleteWrong second YC by Kovacs IMO.
ReplyDelete+ 1
DeleteAnd now this decision completely change the game, poor night from kovac now.
ReplyDeleteMany Italian fans on the blog argue that the challenge was merely a careless action and therefore did not require a card. However, according to the rules of football, careless actions are also penalized. I congratulate the referee for their excellent decision.
ReplyDeleteSo u Said careless and card hahaha omg man
Delete@Sassiko: pls rembre I’m an Italian Ref observer, not a fan. And I argue all the Italian blog users ad well. Pls note that for Football Rule you must distinguish if a foul is with or without careless. Always. When the game is played by Italian teams or not. Full stop.
DeleteI think clear red card for juventus player good decision for pinheiro
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not.
DeleteYou need to stop thinking
DeleteSo you're suggesting Pinheiro made an error on a clear decision before VAR?
DeleteNo, I suggest Pinheiro made a clear mistake on YC, and VAR call made greater one on direct RC. IMO, of course.
DeleteSorry, ITAREF, I was replying to the original remark, given how much praise it was giving Pinheiro. Based on the only replay I've seen, I agree with you
DeleteNo problem DB 😉
Deletehis first decision was a YC...
ReplyDeleteI think you can justify all decisions, but the best one for me is actually play on. It's just very unlucky.
Only 3 minutes extra time in PSG - MONACO ???
ReplyDeleteFor a referee who officiated last year's UCL final for this same PSG team, at least 3 minutes of added time is premature. Not to mention that Kovacs was poorly positioned and the PSG player brought him down. A strange end to the game for the Romanian in Paris.
DeleteBased on what I could see, I believe Kovacs completely “ruined” the match with his decision, which is questionable to say the least. Giving two yellow cards in three minutes, especially for the second challenge, I’m not so sure about that…
ReplyDeleteAgree terrible decision imo, obviously everything a ref don’t want, big big impact on the game and the outcome.
DeleteA game with challenging moments, but generally not too much for Vincic to do. He had a good game
ReplyDeleteTHE BEST performance of REFEREE today was referee ROMANIA KOVASC with VERY GOOD decision of double yellow card of COULBABLY and VERY GOOD decision of VAR SPAIN CUADRA PERNANDES of PENALTY.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with you. For me, Vincic was the best player, especially in his handling of the cards. Kovacs was hasty in only adding 3 minutes of stoppage time. Given how close the game was, it deserved more added time.
DeleteNot to beat a dead horse, but going back to the BEN-RMA incident from last week, it's just curious how the Letexier decision to give Vinicius a YC ?dancing added (some) fuel to the fire, but then he dances again this week and no YC from Vincic...
ReplyDeleteThats card not for dance
DeleteThere was more than that. The replays weren't 100% clear, but I think last weeks YC came from slowing his walk down to shrug his shirt up to show his name to the Benfica fans, after the initial celebration. There were more stages than a dance, and I don't think the card was shown until the extra actions
DeleteI believe, and the replays show, that the card was shown after the Benfica players started running towards him, when he had already started walking back....
DeleteYes the card was shown after the referee had told vini several times to hurry up and stop provoke the fans
DeleteAnd curiously it happened when the players ran towards him, when he was already on his wasy back... like i said--that doesn't change anything...
DeleteKovacs second YC:
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/5a0673
In my opinion a pitch decision you can understand, late challenge, but in reality very soft if not wrong. Player deceived by the very exaggerate reaction by PSG player, a "fly", indeed. You can understand why he decided for YC, but it's hard to say this was a correct one. Unfortunately, exactly after that, the game turned in favor of PSG.
I think this type of exaggeration need to be punished more and here Hakimi is doing everything for the ref to give a 2nd YC and kovac get caught by it. Really poor from an elite referee imo. And an another point, we we’re talking about style last night with Turpin, kovac is actually terrible to watch for me.
DeleteVery poor decision IMO
DeleteGood onside decision by AR1 before the Gala goal
ReplyDeleteStraight RC for SFP in Juventus - Galatasaray: unfortunately, a mistake by Polish VAR here and the Portuguese referee, not fully convinced, just followed him.
ReplyDeleteVideo:
https://streambug.org/cv/f18a32
You can book the player for the unintentional stepping on the opponent, but no more than that, you must also read the game: this is absolutely an unlucky incident and nothing more.
Somebody could even argue no YC, but at least reckless can be accepted I think.
For me, that's a clear case in which a mistake is made because a referee / VAR is too much focused on a detail, losing the overall view of what happened on the pitch.
In the end, changing referees and sending Pinheiro to Turin didn't turn out to be such a great idea...
DeleteDamn, Newton did not help Kelly tonight…
DeleteJokes aside, I honestly find it impossible to think that a single person in the world can justify the 2YC in a normal football action. Unfortunately, Juventus tonight found not one, but two people (ref and VAR) thinking that a player is responsible for gravity to exist. Pinheiro’s decision and VAR action was outrageous. I really hope that at least VAR used this trick to remove the second yellow card.
Never thought about that trick as you mentioned but I sincerely hope that's not the case because I would find that unacceptable. It's still the referee who should take the decisions and the responsability for them. I accept much more a rather wrong 2YC than such a "trick".
DeleteI totally agree with you. I wrote I hoped it just because two UEFA officials not understanding such a simple thing about football is way worse than just one.
DeleteFrom this perspective I can understand you.
DeleteDisagree, player did nothing to avoid this contact, even looks it was on purpose. Can understand ref/var.
Delete"player did nothing to avoid this contact"???
DeleteA bizarre comment. And then there's Yilmaz's hand on the Juventus player's lower abdomen while he was in the air.
This should never have been a card; it's an unfortunate turn of events.
After a quiet Tuesday, a complex Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteAs expected, it was predictable outcome.
There is a lot to say, especially about three matches out of four. In Madrid, after the possible penalty for Real, in my opinion more to be given on the field, though it's true there is absolutely no consistency in these situations, apart from a possible VAR intervention or not, there is little to add regarding the Slovenian referee.
In Bergamo, the Spaniard managed a good game but then he fell on the final key decision: a clear penalty that should have been awarded. I want also to reply to a comment by M above, who believes that it is VAR that takes away courage from referees in making crucial calls. In this specific case, Sanchez could have awarded the penalty, live, the perception of the head being kicked was clear. Had it been wrong, VAR would have intervened to correct it. That's what makes me doubt that it is exclusively the presence of VAR that suggests a lack of decisionism, and personally, I would never wish that to be the case. This was nonetheless an evident mistake. Very sad, because everything else had been handled well, but live my first reaction was: penalty. The Spaniard must not have read it properly.
In Paris, in my opinion, Kovacs was not at his best. Regardless of the disciplinary management, he fell a bit too easily into certain patterns of the home-team players. The task was made easier for PSG by a very harsh second yellow card, borderline to wrong. It would have been obvious card in case of "full contact", but the replay is unfortunately clear. It's a field decision that is difficult to support and where VAR can't intervene. Referees need to fight against players who exaggerate contact.
In Turin, there is perhaps even more to debate. For me, the Portuguese referee did very well until the end of the first half; then, situations followed later can be discussed. An extremely complex match, as expected. Even though it wasn't the atmosphere of Istanbul, in my opinion the Portuguese referee had big challenge. I consider the VAR intervention incorrect. I admit with pleasure by my side that he was able to read the game in terms of avoiding wrong approach (saving yellow cards), ratherhe started immediately with cards, good, but his decisions will be discussed, at least in part, even if Juventus had already thrown everything away in Istanbul with that three-goal deficit (today match showed that there are never really three goals between the two sides, quite the opposite, but that's how it went and it must be accepted).
The Polish VAR did not convince and did not help the Portuguese referee. It could have been a superb performance by ending in the way it began, but that was not the case. Some factors in favor of referees (degree of difficulty and so on) will certainly be recognized, and we'll see which match Rosetti assigns him next. But I think Pinheiro, among other things, should be more confident about himself even at monitor during OFR, he has in case all the right to refuse a call, but he doesn't seem a referee inclined to do so.
Out of curiosity, his last appearance in Turin had been Juventus - Nantes, in 2023, 3 years ago. In that game, Lopes Martins called him at monitor for a possible handball, but also a push before, they assessed the previous foul as punishable...
Good analysis Chefren keep it up and never be biased
DeleteI think the performance of pinheiro today was good according the important decisions that he make
ReplyDeleteAt this level CL a Ref “much focused on a detail losing the overall view on what happened on the pitch” (like correctly Chefren said) is absolutely unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteYou can argue whether a PK is supportable or not, but if the ref ability to read the key moments of a match is lacking, the judgment on him can only be inevitably negative. Similarly if a ref shows inconsistent evaluation metrics from a disciplinary perspective.
IMO, thus Kovacs and Pinheiro, with their performance today, have likely put their WC presence at risk.
+1
DeleteDelete VAR for everything except offside. Just use GLT. Nobody wants VAR. It improved nothing over the years.
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/a3038c
ReplyDelete1) I dislike very much, personally, the intervention by Kwiatkowski (whom, detatched from Marciniak, felt the need to act more 'by the book'?). As I have said before, it feels like all discretion has been totally removed from referees on the question of SFPs, and the only criterion used is a very asinine focus on hitting point. The funniest possible decision under this heading is the Comoros-Mali RC from the last Afcon.
2) The idea that this foul was an 'accident' is equally absurd. Kelly, no Chielleni or P. Montero he, makes a very uncontrolled header on the ball at first which only succeeds in placing the ball into Yilmaz's spell. When players do not have the ball under control, or the ball is spinning towards them in an unpredictable way, they often panic and do a crazy action. Kelly, knowing he would be caught upfield if Yilmaz successfully controls the ball, decides to wipe him out by any means possible. If you watch the live sequence, this second movement is actually quite clear (NOT from the slow-motion replays). People should remember that professional footballers are the most competent individuals in the world regarding lower-limb movement and coordination - very rarely things that they do are accidents! Separate to this discussion, by Pinheiro’s manner and (especially) whistle language, it is also quite clear that this decision was taken by educated guess and not perception alone.
3) I think the game tonight -- and in this there is no disgrace, because this was a ‘UEFA top5’ game which ended up in the hands of a ‘UEFA top15’ ref in his first full Elite cat season -- was probably a step too far, too soon for Pinheiro. He handled very assuredly both the Portuguese title decider last season and the decisive Austria-Bosnia this, but his refereeing tonight did not radiate the same level of confidence. The Portuguese struggled to make accurate judgements on some duels which happened on the horizontal third of the FoP nearest camera side (he was a very small distance away from missing a clear penalty at 40’!), positionally found himself a little too often in the way, didn’t have a clear strategy for dealing with the Gala injuries/‘injuries’ in the firsthalf and was a bit too undermined by the players. I would describe the performance still as GOOD, but it was closer to adequate than very good. All things considered, Pinheiro absolutely did well given the circumstances and his experience relative to the game’s level of difficulty.
In terms of WC2026, I think this match presented a good candidacy to be a reserve at that tournament (young ref with big potential) rather than being a main referee.
4) Very finally, I’m surprised there were no comments about this: Juve could easily have been awarded a penalty for a careless striking offence at 56’, if strictly applying the laws as a text.
About 2), I would agree with you on the general sense of your statement; however, it is also quite clear that Kelly was at least slightly pushed by GAL player while in the air, therefore him losing balance is just a consequence IMHO.
DeleteIf you take away the argument of an accident, many factors point more towards SFP than reckless (hitting point + intensity + no ability to play the ball with that leg), I think.
DeleteAnd "it is also quite clear that this decision was taken by educated guess and not perception alone" actually is an argument for a VAR intervention.
However, I overall agree, that the VAR intervention was not correct, because the situation is too far away from "clear and obivous" and many interpretations are possible.
And about the appointment. Firstly, Pinheiro probably was a replacement, so they had a different idea first (maybe Marciniak). Secondly, we had two more return legs in Italy, where the home team was behind with even one goal less difference, where referees were appointed, who are at best "top 15", but not "top5". And using your "top 5" referees in Madrid, Paris and Madrid can easily be justfied by the closer first legs (even if the appointments probably were made before, but then it was correct anticipation).
@Chefren:
DeleteSorry but maybe for the first time I don’t agree with you on the point 2). https://www.streambug.io/cv/f18a32
Pls look at the sequence again with attention: you may note Kelly on jumping cannot see Yilmaz for the evident reason that Gala player is behind him. And when for gravity law Kelly came down, he hits the leg only because the dinamic movement of Yilmaz makes his leg is positioned under the foot of Kelly coming down in a body rotation for full casuality.
And casuality depends on object, reckeless depends on subject: so, casuality doesn’t mean reckless, absolutely.
You can support 2YC only if you stop the imagine on step on leg, but it’s clearly wrong of you correctly analize full dynamics of that action.
The comment above are a call @Mikael W (not Chefren: but your concerning opinion would be strongly appreciated). Thanks all of you.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI mean for me you can see that right now especially with Marciniak out there are not enough top class referees to make sure that everything will be going well, and I think it’s becoming a problem to put every time the same 3-4 referees to be safe for a game imo. And maybe it’s nothing new but still something UEFA need to work on.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteRemember this he will be one of the referees that go world , it is clear, also I think he will appointed champions league round of 16
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWe will see even the red card is correct
DeleteIf the Italian media heavily criticize Pinheiro, they have every reason to do so, given that his serious mistake ruined the game. However, it is true that there are too few top-level referees compared to the number of important games to be played: only Marciniak, Turpin, Makkelie and Letexier have the necessary level for these matches
DeleteI don't agree for that
DeleteI think it's unfair to say the call ruined the game: while it was never SFP, the original call of 2YC was absolutely fair. The overall effect on the game is unchanged.
Delete(apart from any impact on player acceptance etc after that)
DeleteStrange to see so many opinions on the 2nd YC in Paris, for a completely reckless intervention (even if it seemed soft) with the ball far away from the player. Expecting anything else than a YC it means the ref should always interpret subjectively the laws of the game? Based on what?
ReplyDeleteGood luck to the VARs next season, who have to decide, whether 2ndYCs are clearly and obviously wrong or not...
Delete+1 Philipp.
Deletehttps://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/029d-1ebd52c0e86d-cc44b76e6bc1-1000--uefa-champions-league-var-technical-explanations/
ReplyDeleteThere is a big misunderstanding regarding the official UEFA Champions League VAR explanation page. Unfortunately, the general public doesn't understand it and believes that this list, although official, represents the correct decisions. In fact, some former Italian referees, overlooking this point, commented by sharing that link and assuming it was an exclusive technical assessment by UEFA.
Instead, these are simply the official explanations nothing more, based on the decisions made by officials. Many people haven't understood this. Obviously, some of VAR interventions can even be wrong, there is no detailed explanation on that by committee.
Rosetti will surely read this, and in my opinion they should change something, as it creates confusion, especially because it would be appropriate to clarify and communicate what the correct decisions actually are.
UEFA need to change this, now in almost every country the federation or the referee boss explain the decisions and tell everyone if it was right or wrong, we can’t just have this, everyone understand what happens, we need to know if they think it’s was the right call or not. Hope that is gonna change soon.
DeleteAbsolutely good luck to VARs next season, more problems more controversy 50/50 decision no solutions
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect to the opinions I read here, a lot of us here are referees. We know the rules. We know as well that in these games referees are part of the game and should try to make th game flow and that sometimes means to “miss” an YC or even a RC.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, yesterday RC in Juventus games is clear and very supportable for me. The defender is jumping and arrives on attacker leg in a place where is physical integrity is clearly in danger. YC could be acceptable but for me it’s closer to a straight RC than a YC. I don’t understand how is this even a topic, all due respect as I said (I only have 4y of refereeing so of course my “experience” is very limited)
I agree with you in terms of straight RC,but only if we stop picture at the exact moment that Kelly catches Gala player.
DeleteBut,refs can only just see that and not the whole thing and then we have players or ex players who will say that they cant feel the game or they dont understand the game.
They will where else or how is he suposed to jump?
So sometimes I think we only focus on one picture instead of full action.
Btw I agree,RC for that,but in general,too much picture that cant determine what kind of action was happening.
You can also say that for Simeone foul on Balde couple of weeks ago when Atleti played Barca.
If we stop at the exact moment of contact, straight red.
But if we look at full action where his leg kicks the floor and then bounces on Balde,then we get another verdict.
With all due respect to the opinions I read here, a lot of us here are referees. We know the rules. We know as well that in these games referees are part of the game and should try to make th game flow and that sometimes means to “miss” an YC or even a RC.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, yesterday RC in Juventus games is clear and very supportable for me. The defender is jumping and arrives on attacker leg in a place where is physical integrity is clearly in danger. YC could be acceptable but for me it’s closer to a straight RC than a YC. I don’t understand how is this even a topic, all due respect as I said (I only have 4y of refereeing so of course my “experience” is very limited)
You said yourself that a YC could be acceptable lol, hence why it's a "topic"
Delete