Referee appointment for the first semifinal of 2021/22 UEFA Champions League, to be played between Manchester City and Real Madrid.
26 April 2022
21:00 CET - Manchester (City of Manchester Stadium)
Manchester City FC (ENG) - Real Madrid CF (ESP)
Referee: István Kovács (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Florin Marinescu (ROU)
Referee: István Kovács (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Florin Marinescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ovidiu Artene (ROU)
Fourth Official: Artur Dias (POR) Sandro Schärer (SUI)
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Herbert Ernst Fandel (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Loukas Siotropos (GRE)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Herbert Ernst Fandel (GER)
UEFA Delegate: Loukas Siotropos (GRE)
Wow. Kovacs for World Cup maybe?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, after Hategan health issues (we wish him the best), it is quite sure that Kovacs will attend WC, at least as Romania nr. 1, then one must discuss about the "overall reputation", including FIFA as well.
DeleteMay be... :) Sure after medical problem of Hategan
ReplyDeleteIncredible achievement! Congratulations and good luck! Maybe we have a new candidate for the UECL final ?
ReplyDeleteGood luck kovacs he deserved this semi final after his performance this season
ReplyDelete1/4 MC-Atletico (István Kovács)
ReplyDelete1/2 MC-Real (István Kovács)
F - MC- (?) (István Kovács)
)))
We know the issues by committee in finding names for the appointments, it is becoming common and common to read always the same referees in the various KO stages over the years, but for Kovacs I must say, in this case, it is a very "appreciated" exception.
DeleteStill, one should wonder why with so many Elite referees we are always in the same situation...
Rosetti is one nullity.
DeleteAfter this appointment the name for Paris should be absolutely clear. Makkelies name is written all over it. I like the appointment of Kovacs, however for me it should have been the smaller CL SF and not this one. I hope he will be up for the huge task ahead
ReplyDeleteMarciniak for Liverpool-Villarreal.
ReplyDeleteAnd this likely means EL or ECL final to him.
DeletePrediction? Source?
DeleteRegarding Liverpool-Villarreal its serious source from Poland, regarding finals its my prediction only.
DeleteExcellent referee appointment - Kovacs
ReplyDeleteTerrible VAR appointment - Fritz + Dankert
How can UEFA keep assigning these shockingly bad VAR's from germany? Especially after the clear penalty they didn't see in yesterday's Bayern vs Dortmund.
This match should have been Turpin, always the same referees, the same teams, at least for Kovacs Liverpool-Villareal,
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for Hategan. Maybe, this was his year to finally get a Semi final CL. Wish him a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteNow they are repeating Kovacs again with Man. City, and again in Etihad stadium, after the QF CL. Options are really limited.
I must say, excellent game for Kovacs. He handled the Man. City - Atletico game very well. We all know that Atletico is not an easy team to referee. I really like him. Kovacs has that very natural authority/ascendant. That’s a big gift for a referee IMO. Some other Elite referees are more depending on a tactical approach – their style is more suitable to the modern, fluent football, Nordic teams focused on playing football. Kovacs, on the other hand, I can see him in charge of many hot (and potentially problematic) clashes in future. He has that authority to succeed in those games.
If Kovacs performs well, I hope that they will reward him with a UECL final if he performs well in this game.
Predictions for other matches in semi finals: Liverpool vs villareal 1 st : Turpin 2 nd : marciniak/ real Madrid vs man city vincic / ( the final : makkelie )
ReplyDeleteChefren please i need your predictions for ucl semi finals and final
DeleteMarciniak, Vincic and Turpin semifinals, Makkelie final, I agree with you. Turpin maybe for second leg of Real - City, while Marciniak in LIV - VIL. Vincic VIL - LIV.
DeleteThanks my best friend chefren
DeleteSo Orsato will not recover from injury in time? I read on this blog that more than a few thought his name was already pencilled in for a Champions League Semi-final.
DeleteCongrats to Istvan. This must be a new record set by Kostavs for how many seasons it takes a referee to get a semi final. Even the likes of Makkelie Kuipers Skomina etc wasn’t this quick.
ReplyDeleteVelasco Carballo reached the semifinals in his first season and Cakir in his second season.
DeleteIMO Kovacs partly is Just Lucky that hategan is out. Hategan deserved it much more. However he did perform well in his CL QF so also deserved
DeleteThe same was said for Vincic after Skomina's injury, I remember.
DeleteI think that Vincic showed to deserve the trust, and Kovacs is doing the same. Maybe you will remember that even before the unlucky issue for Hategan, there were discussions on the blog comparing them. Hategan himself will be very happy, I'm sure, for his compatriot's career.
is there any chance for turpin in paris?
ReplyDeleteYes, as French you can see him very often walking the streets of Paris.
DeleteIt's not out of the question surely
DeleteI think we can now welcome Cuneyt Cakir back to refereeing at Turkish Super Lig after a few months out. Its possible he still has a chance for Qatar 2022
ReplyDeleteCüneyt Çakır has a match today
DeleteYes he does
DeleteSüper Lig Matchday 34
ReplyDelete24 April 2022
Fraport TAV Antalyaspor (8.) - Yukatel Kayserispor (14.)
Referee: Cüneyt Cakır
Assistant Referee 1: Deniz Caner Özaral
Assistant Referee 2: Ali Tuna
Fourth Official: Davut Dakul Çelik
Video Assistant Referee: Erkan Özdamar
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1: Kerem Ersoy
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2: Oğuzhan Çakır
So what about the Turkish committee and all that happened before? I really can't believe that today we are reading again his name for a Süper Lig match. Also, he must be praised for having accepted to return, another referee could have easily gone away forever afte the treatment he reached.
DeleteTo add, still in my opinion, for me simply unbelievable what we saw in past days, I think it can't stay without discussions.
All the involved people should question about themselves in a very deep way!
Yes, you are absolutely right. Chefren. The former committee chairman accused Çakır of inciting the referees against him and the committee, this was personal to them and I think this case is completely closed.
DeleteWhat happened to his AR’s Duran and Ongün?
DeleteI am very very happy Cakir is back. He is still a brilliant referee and I hope to see him in Qatar, too!
DeleteWow, what a appointment for Kovacs!
ReplyDeleteAfter many years with Kuipers, Brych, Cakir, Skomina, it is really strange to see a "new" names in SFs. Probably 4 referees will debut in this stage.
Any EL & ECL Predictions?
ReplyDeleteUEL
DeleteLEI-RAN: 1° Vincic/ 2° Jovanovic
WHU-FRA: 1° Del Cerro/ 2° Makkelie
UECL
LEI-ROM: 1° Umut Meler/ 2° Mateu
FEY-MAR: 1° Gil Manzano / 2° Gozubuyuk
Sure, Gözübüyük for Feyenoord ��
Delete@Unknown. comic predictions
Delete3rd appointment with Man. City out of 9 for Kovacs.
ReplyDeleteCertainly not the best management by Rosetti. It also shows that despite the 32 referees on the Elite Group, the real Elite consists of 10-12 referees.
sandro schaerer replaces artur dias
ReplyDeleteKovacs developed faster than Hategan. Congratulations Kovacs.
ReplyDeleteIt is confirmed in uefa.com and UCL app that Sandro Schärer has replaced Artur Dias as Fourth Official for Man City - Real Madrid.
ReplyDeleteArtur Dias was injured in a Portuguese league game, hence his absence.
DeleteAFC Champions League
ReplyDeleteRyuji Sato (Japan) had to show a red card for clutching his FIFA badge by the player.
What punishment will the AFC give the player?
https://twitter.com/kogekidogso/status/1517676356112293889?s=21
Great appointment for Kovacs, well deserved, i did not expect that he could get a SF so soon. Happy for him.
ReplyDeleteSources from Poland are reporting Marciniak for Liverpool Villarreal, now it’s quite easy to guess Vincic and Turpin in 2nd legs, if Orsato is still unavailable.
Final:
Makkelie 99%: it would be a nonsense to keep the best referee away from CL QF and SF and then to not choose him for final :) but impredictable things could always happen (covid, injuries), or a (unlikely) Final RMA-VIL that could officiate also Anthony Taylor.
Are Fritz & Dankert the best VARs UEFA has? Seems like they are in every other high stake match
ReplyDeleteOT:
ReplyDeleteDaniel Siebert, referee of yesterday's controversial Bundesliga clash Bayern vs. Dortmund, gave an interview today. He evaluated the two mostly criticized scenes.
49' reckless vs. SFP sliding tackle, decision was play-on: Siebert is unhappy about his decision here; he percieved 'ball played' but actually it was a dangerous ankle contact and he assesses it as FK + YC now.
59' penalty appeal (clip posted by Chefren yesterday), decision play-on: Siebert says that his decision was a mistake and a spot-kick should have been awarded. He couldn't percieve the incident properly because his view was obstructed; VAR should have intervened.
I like Siebert's openness here! I don't really think that he has the main responsibility for the 59' mistake.. but with the fact that he didn't percieve the foot contact Fritz' non-intervention is even more inexplicable IMO.
Full statement:
https://www.kicker.de/siebert-strafstoss-waere-die-richtige-entscheidung-gewesen-899520/artikel
I really appreciate the transparency, honesty and competence of the communication of the refereeing federation in Germany, it is fantastic! In Italy, almost nothing ever transpires and, in doubtful cases, AIA simply considers any decision made on the field to be right in order to avoid controversy, even when there are clear and obvious errors (for example the OFR in Juve-Inter or the goal not given for offside in Inter-Milan).
DeleteEverytime I see Kooij in action, I wonder what Van Egmond drunk when he proposed him for the FIFA list.
ReplyDeleteI too wonder what pills van Egmond took, or how much Frank de Boer paid van Egmond for Kooij on the FIFA list.... ;) but all jokes aside he is indeed by far the worst ref in the Dutch first league for my taste.
DeleteCan you specify why you don't like his officiating? I very rarely watch the Dutch league so I'm not really familiar with the non fifa/the new fifa refs.
DeleteWell, he is just bad. I think it's a combination of his arrogantic presentation and his inconsistent decisions. Today in Fortuna - Go Ahead he went from whistling for everything to whistling for nothing in a few minutes. Besides, the 1-0 was a consequence of a wrong free kick, and he missed a hand ball in the last minutes.
DeleteAgree. Especially relegation games are not for Kooij. Then he is even worse. I think in new generation there are a few lads that are more talented.
DeleteFun fact: supporters of Go Ahead always start singing ‘We want Makkelie’ when a referee is bad or not in their favor. I heard it today in first halve… :D
Example in other game: https://youtu.be/Qj2bClreCVE
Pretty funny :)
Yes, that is because of a match in 2013 vs. Vitesse. At that time, Makkelie wasn't as good as now and gave Go Ahead two easy RCs and interrupted the match.
DeleteYeah, I read that it all started as a cynical thing. Great humour! And still singing after so many years…
DeleteBut I guess things turned around now. Its a thin line between love and hate :)
@Unknown Are you sure about two easy red cards? As far as I remember it were 2 penalties, of which 1 in a DOGSO scenario (so red card).
DeleteGreat reaction from the referee on the pitch
Delete@Unknown: it seems that one of the biggest newspapers agrees with your view. Bad rating for Kooij:
Deletehttps://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/kenneth-taylor-maakt-indruk-bij-eerste-basisplek-voor-ajax-ook-mauro-junior-imponeert-weer~a935a229/
MY PREDICTIONS
ReplyDeleteUCL
RMA-MCI: 2° Turpin
LIV-VIL: 1° Marciniak / 2° Vincic
***FINAL: Makkelie
UEL
WHU-FRA: 1° Makkelie / 2° Massa
LEI-RAN: 1° Del Cerro / 2° Jovanovic
***FINAL: Marciniak
UECL
LEI-ROM: 1° Gil Manzano / 2° Cakir
FEY-MAR: 1° Vincic / 2° Siebert
***FINAL: Del Cerro
I like Cakir very much, but that would be too early.
DeleteWhat do you think about YC in Lazio-Milan? (7')
ReplyDeleteCorrect YC for SPA, without handball outside the box by keeper, I don't think that there would have been an OGSO.
DeleteIf we approach it from the usual DOGSO perspective of what happens if the player committing the offense is removed then we have a ball that is clearly moving so fast that it would go out for a goal kick. I think a red would be harsh.
DeleteLiverpool-Villareal: Szymon Marchinak
ReplyDeleteLeipzig-Rangers: Jovanovic/Cakir
Westham-Frankfurt: Umut Meler/Mateu Lahoz
Leicester-As Roma: Gil Manzano/Schaerer
Feyenoord-Marseille: Anthony Taylor/Zwayer
Soares Dias has been injured at last him game in Portugal.
ReplyDeleteSilva (POR) replace him at Half-Time.
Do you think Cakir will be able to take part in a few of the remaining matches? (UCL-UEL-UECL) Also, when will the list of referees who will participate in the world cup be announced?
ReplyDeleteThe list will be announced around 1 month before tournament.
DeleteWhat a match for Diaz De Mera,lot of cards, protests and bad behaviour from both teams resulting in 10 cards.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, total descontrol...No good performance.
DeleteOne doesn't get his real 'baptism' as a LaLiga referee until he referees a challenging Real Madrid or Barça game ;)
Delete11 minutes of extra time, eventually extended to 13 after 2 Rayo players got booked for DtR offences, wow.
Çakır got a standing ovation from the fans in the match she directed yesterday, she was also very emotional and first bowed to them and then she applauded the fans, her appearance in the match was very good, she still seems in shape.
ReplyDeleteCüneyt Cakir's comeback
Deletehttps://twitter.com/beINSPORTS_TR/status/1518277337808265218?t=AokTibpb-9vcp0y7-jUM9w&s=19
Thank you Anonymous
DeleteWhat respect, great Cakir!!!
DeleteEspecially the UEFA refs for Qatar will be difficult to choose. If we assume the following nominations being safe... :
ReplyDeleteMakkelie, Marciniak, Orsato, Siebert, Taylor, Turpin, Vincic, one of the Spanish refs, we have only 1 place left for...
Cakir, Hategan, Jovanovic, Kovacs, Soares Dias.
Conmebol: Claus or Sampaio, Rapallini, Tobar, Valenzuela, Ginzalez or Ostojich, 1 place left:
Vargas or Haro
Concacaf: Elfath, C. Ramos or Guerrero, then 2 from 4:
Escobar, Martinez, Barton, Fisher
Africa: Safe: Gassama, Ghorbal, Tessema. Plus Gomes or Jiyed
Asia: Safe: Al Jassim, Beath, plus 2 from 4: Faghani, Makhadmah, Ning Ma, Sato
Ozeania: Conger.
Ostojich and Fischer can only be chosen as VARs since they are not on the pre-selected referees list.
DeleteFischer won't be selected, but I would point out Marrufo went last time without being on the pre-selected list. I also wouldn't ignore Marrufo's chances of returning again as on on-field referee. It's Elfath, an FMF referee,
DeleteMohamed Abdullah uae will referee as main referee in wc 2022 in Qatar
ReplyDeleteThe UEFA Introductory Course for new referees who got the badge for 2022 will be held in Nyon, 8 - 13 May 2022, after having been annulled on last months for COVID reasons.
ReplyDelete@Chefren Is there a UEFA new story confirming the rescheduled introductory course dates or something that you have heard through sources?
DeleteAny info from our Spanish readers on Valentin Pizarro Gomez?
ReplyDeleteClattenburg has chosen him for the Greek Cup SF 2nd Leg of Olympiakos - PAOK.
After a weak season 20/21 where He struggled and had many var interventions, His current season is quite good in my opinion.
DeleteI enjoy that he always trys to let the game flow and though keeps good control. He is a relativelye "cool" ref that you can see sometimes laughing with the players. Nevertheless He can get very angry in hot matches which I think helps him to control the game
This is actually the job of Mark Clattenburg in Greece: picking referees random and appointing them in Greek games. Well done for the development of Greek refereeing.
DeleteThe appointment between Kovacs and Marchiniak should have been reversed honestly, to avoid Kovac meeting Man City just so soon again and the third time this season while the VAR Marco Fritz was the VAR in the second leg for Seibert.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the difference. In that case Marciniak and his VARs would have repeated Real Madrid. And Marciniak had Real in the second leg, so two consecutive games - it is mandatory to avoid that.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDavid Crammond - the Dunning-Kruger principle in human form.
DeleteI wonder when you watched him last time. He had a great season. The only game when he had small problems was Sevilla-Lille. In the rest of the games he was World Class.
DeleteOh bugger just realised I made a mistake and it's Vincic not Kovacs. Sorry.
Delete:)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteEasy game for Kovacs. Only 5 faults whistled in firt half. Both teams are focused on playing. Let´s see the second half.
ReplyDeletefirst*
DeleteVery easy first half. Only 4 fouls in toatal (!), nothing else to whistle. Beautiful football!
ReplyDelete4 or 5 foults, whatever.
DeleteA beautiful game indeed, and no discussions about referee, that's what we would like to see in all matches, but it isn't possible. I think that the game in Madrid on next week will be totally different than this first leg, but let's wait today's second half before. Sometimes games can be really easy for referees, thank to the fact that teams think only to play.
DeleteThe kind of half a referee loves, both teams fully focussed on playing, let's hope Kovacs continues to be unnoticed
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent athletic profile / movement style that Kovács has, wow. Good 1H by the Romanian too. Not too many foul duels to assess vis-à-vis the 'dreaded winter guidelines'; an ever-so-slightly chaotic play on at 4' aside, the most obvious incident when was referee and assistant Marinescu (who made the only offside mistake of the half at 15'), visibly had different ideas about a charging duel at 40'. In the end foul was the expected choice I think. Probably Schärer missed reporting an IFK in his favour, but then, very good that Kovács INSISTED on connecting with de Bruyne (a 'small name ref' vs. a big name player, easy for IK to be shy, but to his credit, not so) when verbally warning him for dissenting-ish behaviour at 27'. Besides that, not too much to report really, hope he can keep up the good job in the 2H.
ReplyDelete(what a post-modern piece of football btw :)).
If we compare this YC to Guardiola in such a fair context of a nice football game, to what was allowed to Simeone in many games, we must praise Kovacs for his quickness, and I also liked that he waited for a signal by coach before leaving the scene. I think he was accepted by Guardiola.
ReplyDeleteYC doesn't change the fact the goal was scored from a wrong throw-in.
DeleteThere was no replay, so we have no clue if the throw in was wrong or not. And even if there was about half a minute in between throw in and goal, so I don‘t think this will
Deletebe a discussion
3-2 what a match. This is the Champions. Great teams and great referees :)
ReplyDeleteKovacs went from massive struggling in SEV vs LOSC in group stage to full control in MCI vs RMA in SF. Impressive.
ReplyDeleteNo matter the stage of the competition, in my opinion some games are clearly more difficult than others!
DeleteWhat an advantage by Kovacs
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT advantage by Kovacs!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent advantage, bravo Kovacs.
ReplyDeleteWhat an advantage for 4-2! Big plus for Kovacs!
ReplyDeleteGreat advantage let! Brilliant decision !!
ReplyDeleteWas just about to say. That had to be the best advantage ever I've seen.
DeleteWow ! Excellent advantage !!!
ReplyDeleteGuardiola should praise both Bernanrdo and Kovacs equally for this goal
ReplyDeleteThe dream advantage for a referee!
ReplyDeleteEven Kovacs himself looked surprised after the advantage he gave, he wanted to say something like: "I didn't realize that". :D
ReplyDeleteWHAT AN INCREDIBLE ADVANTAGE!!! GREAT DECISION BY KOVACS, AUTHENTIC MASTERCLASS!
ReplyDeleteUntil now what an excellent refereeing by Kovacs. He’s for sure a strong candidate for the WC in december.
ReplyDeleteNow a correct penalty
ReplyDeleteCorrect penalty by Kovacs
ReplyDeleteBut he ruined everything with this penalty. The defender played the ball with his head clearly before the handball. How can VAR support this penalty? There is no element for a handball.
ReplyDeleteplease stop commenting on city games if you’re a city fan. clear penalty
DeleteAre you blind ? Are City Fan ? Are you acting in bad faith
DeletePlease delete the comment from 22:41
DeletePlease delete the comment from 22:51
DeletePlease learn the laws of the game. Unnatural position is always a handball no matter if you play the ball first or not. Just like a deliberate handball or goal scored with the hand. Always a foul no matter what.
DeleteRegarding the penalty, if the shot results in a goal kick, what should the referee do? A goal kick or a free kick?
ReplyDeletesorry the advantage.
DeleteHe showed, as you probably noticed, the gesture of advantage only after goal scored. He applied the "wait and see". In case of ball out he could have whistled free kick, without having made advantage gesture. However, basically this is a bit against the LOTG, it is a common practice in UEFA refereeing, but according to book, you must take a decision, if advantage, and shown before the shot, nothing to follow, goal kick.
DeleteChefren watch the incident very well !! He did show the advantage with his right hand only before the goal was scored then did a full 2 hand advantage signal after the goal was scored, so he did show it and would probably have given a goal kick or corner and not a free kick.
DeleteWhat a game by Kovacs.
ReplyDeleteNow this penalty, header before touch by arm, I think it was assessed as deflection and not deliberate play, and I can agree. In case of movement by head, the subsequent touch by arm should have been considered as not punishable. A bit delayed whistle by the Romanian, he analyzed that in his mind, no help by AR1, I think, he was too far from the scene.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the important details. For the first time, I learned that the difference between "deflection" and "deliverate play" is important in this case. I hope IFAB will write this in the Laws of the Game. It's very difficult.
DeleteDeliberate play doesn’t matter.
Delete3 criterias exist:
Making yourself unnaturally bigger, scoring with the hand, deliberate handball.
If any of these exist then it’s a foul. In this case he made himself unnaturally bigger. If none of these 3 criterias happened then it wouldn’t be a foul because he deliberately played the ball just before.
If this is relevant, IFAB should really write it into the LotG.
DeleteBecause currently, there it is only about making the body unnaturally bigger (which was clearly the case tonight)...
Previous contacts by the same player aren't mentioned as condition anymore.
It’s just bad wording by IFAB and incorrect interpretation by federations who teach he law. Those 3 criterias must always be considered first. If none of them happened then it’s not handball.
DeleteAh, I see that Anass beat me to the "deflection" vs. "deliberate play" point! Completely agree, this is an excellent way to help assess such scenes as this tonight and C. del Cerro's penalty last season in Dortmund vs. Man City (-> both to be given).
DeleteTo further this point - an example of what is absolutely NOT a penalty from Saudi Arabia with Señor Roldán and his VAR compatriot Acuña. A clear deliberate play, contrary to tonight's deflection example.
Deletehttps://youtu.be/45TVdwbx4ns?t=60
I agree that the Roldan example should not be a penalty, however it's worrying that arguments need to be used, which have nothing to do with the LotG text.
DeleteTo justify a play-on after a hand contact, we should try to find arguments, why it is a) not deliberate AND b) not making the body unnaturally bigger.
Árbitros da UEFA para o Catar 2022
ReplyDeleteMakkelie
Marciniak
Turpin
Orsato
Taylor
Kovacs
Del Cerro
Vincic
Siebert
A very important detail. The arm was very far from the body, and the ball hit Laporte in the hand OVER the shoulder, which is decisive in taking the decision. I think that was the right decision. Kovacs waited a few seconds before whistling, consulting AR or analyzing in mind.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Matei, in my oppinion the arm is in a unnatural position (speaking in law of the game terms) and is punishable.
DeleteNever del Cerro, always Lahoz
ReplyDeleteItalian commentators (SKY) are falling in love with Kovacs.
ReplyDeleteThe same comment in belgian french speaking TV
DeleteSame in Germany😁
DeleteAnd Dutch tv commentator with the same words of praise as well!
DeleteSame in Turkey
DeleteSame in English in DAZN Canada
DeleteAnother very good advantage by Kovacs, followed by a YC to Nacho when ball went out of play. Fantastic performance by the Romanian.
ReplyDeleteGood call on the penalty. Yes the defender got a touch but it hits his hand in a unnatural position
ReplyDeleteWhat a performance by Kovacs! Wow!
ReplyDeleteKovacs deserves another European night this season.
ReplyDeleteBiggest candidate for UECL finale if Leicester gets there
DeleteI don't know exactly how referees assessments work, but it should be over 8.5, isn't it? If someone could make a complete report I would be grateful.
ReplyDeleteThe second leg is actually a Cakir game, but given Cakir's current situation, it's almost impossible.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that this game just happened, in real life. :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant night for István Kovács. Elite refereeing (actually all refereeing, but there are so many more relevant agents at the top) is all about building TRUST in your abilities and creating a PROFILE for yourself over a period of time. It's how B. Johnson became Prime Minister despite always scoring low in competenacy polls, and an out-of-form B. Kuipers got the EURO final appointment (and reffed it excellently). In this regard, for (previously!) 'no-name' Kovács, this night simply could not have gone better for him.
Some incidents:
54mins • To be able to win Guardiola's respect by determination, even after a(n obviously) wrong throw-in; deeply impressive.
74mins • The result was excellent, but the advantage was NOT a masterclass decision. He actually went to blow up - more of a very good passive delayed whistle than 'real' advantage.
80mins • I like using offside terminology here - defender's headed touch was more of a deflection, not deliberate play, so 100% right call. Marinescu's, even Schärer's, shout?
Praise on Italian, French, German, Turkish (I can add, British) television; immediate connections with this all-time CL classic game (in a positive way, compare to 'the guy who lost control in Atlético vs. x), it couldn't have gone better for Kovács. I don't think he should get tooo ahead of ourselves - Sevilla vs. Lille, and I am not 200% convinced that it 'would not' happen again - this was an extremely fair game, but still.
Kovács's crew can be very proud of themselves for the markedly net positive impact they had on this Champions League semifinal!
So...can we say "bravo Rosetti"? :D
DeleteI think so! :)
DeleteFantastic performance tonight, one of the best of all season. I am really impressed. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Kovacs and his team!
ReplyDeleteAn excellent performance by Kovacs and his team. Thought he got all the major decisions correct especially the handball for the penalty and that he was cool, calm and collected for someone as inexperienced at this level. Thought the advantage he played was one of the best i've seen for ages and wasn't afraid to put players/managers in their place if need be. Definitely a 10/10 from me.
ReplyDeleteKovacs simply wow! He deserves a final either EL or ECL
ReplyDeleteNot to attack your point of view specifically, but I don't necessary agree with the final sentence. As a comparable example: this was also many people's reaction after Velasco's performance in Schalke vs. Man Utd SF in 2011 ('newbie' stands out very positively in an important + football-focused game). In both the short-term, not really good performance in the EL final he then got as a consequence, and in the long-term, not always the most motivated impressions in his games it is fair to say, I'm not really sure that his instant reappointment for a big final was a good idea (at all).
DeleteIt's surely possible though, Vassáras will be cheering him on and as we know Rosetti has no real long-term plan to manage the referees and their expectations. Kovács was great(!!) tonight, but perspective is important too.
Too early for a final, I think, and too "late" for another semifinal (appointments have been already made). But surely after today Kovacs can be more than happy, he achieved a big goal in his career, gaining the full trust by committee for big games (now it is 100% sure if you ask me), reinforcing his position as WC candidate and being praised by all people. Congratulations, the best possible outcome for him. When he officiated Barcelona - Napoli, there were already many signals of that, if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteThe remaining WC play-offs are another option for a next big game for Kovacs.
DeleteWhat an awesome referee! He fully deserves a final this year, EL or ECL. I think the committee has found a certainty to bet on
ReplyDeleteLooks like I am in the minority here on referee's advantage to Silva. The foul itself, blatant for ALL to see, the referee's body language, shoulders, arms, the hand with whistle to his mouth, ALL SHOW I am stopping the play. All players MC and RM hesitated for moments..even Silva.
ReplyDeleteThere are Laws of the Game which this referee can STAND behind. BUT as the old timers say there is a higher authority: "WHAT THE GAME WANTS" was not given.
Yes. One must admit that part of the reason that advantage was so 'good' (-> goal resulted) is that (R. Madrid) players stopped upon seeing whistle go to mouth. That is still their fault as professional athletes, but I can't share everyone's pure excitement as this call. However, the result is still definitely / clearly good IMO: a referee directly made a move which favoured exciting football!
DeleteWhen kids start playing football they are told: you don't hear the whistle - you don't stop
DeleteExactly. They're not told, "If you SEE the whistle stop"
DeleteExcellent performance by Kovacs and his team tonight 👏 great to see uefa given less experience Referees the opportunity to move forward with games like this .
ReplyDeletePerhaps I am a minority here but Kovacs had a very good/excellent first 80 mins and just good the last 14'. The decisive moment was the penalty he gave for RM. The whistle came too late and he tried to avoid the protesting players instead of managing them. After that scene, he seemed a little unfocused.
ReplyDeleteStill a very good performance, though.
Sorry if all my comments seem like I'm trying to impose my view, but I hope they add some kind of value or at least a different perspective.
DeleteIn a classroom setting, his management of the penalty mobbing was definitely weak (and expected mobbing after such a delay, not so firm gestures / presence to accompany it, etcetera).
Though:
1) it is UEFA's vision to be completely calm in the scene itself, not to inflame any players (-> risk a SYC (to a top player)), and then to issue a caution after the event, which Kovács did, Fernandinho's name taken.
2) somehow, it fitted in fine with his whole PROFILE (see above) of the evening; of course, you can say I'm being an apologist and talking in too abstract terms, but I do believe there is sth in this; (the public) would expect instant YC(s) from Stark, and Brych, Orsato to shout back at the players, but somehow, what Kovács did fitted his whole PROFILE, he was a young referee determined to show he didn't think that he was bigger than the game for the whole 90mins, why he did so well in de Bruyne + Guardiola scenes, and tried (successfully!) to serve football on the night with his whole approach.
So it's not making excuses, or even trying to especially defend Kovács, just a different idea to consider maybe. :)
Kovacs with the game of his life tonight. So happy for him.
ReplyDeleteWhy not Massa in VIL-LIV? If Orsato does not recover
ReplyDeleteMassa appointed to a SF? He doesn't deserve it. Let's wait for italian appointments and we will see if Orsato has recovered. He could officiate Cagliari - Verona on Saturday, out of the spotlight but an important match.
DeleteOT:
ReplyDeleteThe player who was expelled by the Referee for using insulting language and gestures towards Ryuji Sato is suspend for 5 matches by AFC.
How is your opinion?
https://twitter.com/sato_fanaccount/status/1519135821978210305?s=21&t=a4lxvZxhmPyQW4zAliU6nQ
Great performance Istvan!
ReplyDeleteSo far, we have seen 3 masterclasses in refereeing this year:
-RMA - PSG (Makkelie)
-RMA - CHE (Marciniak)
-MCI - RMA (Kovacs)
3 intense games full of entertainment.
Now watch Turpin getting the final :’)
Isn’t that what’s happening every year? The strongest and best performing ref never gets the final.
DeleteJust look at EURO2020 and Kuipers’ appointments. He was not used in sth like FRA-GER, FRA-POR, BEL-POR or ENG-GER. He was chosen already before the tournament and they kept him away from such clashes. Rosetti burned Mateu.
This stinks. UEFA = politics. Now they are looking at nationality, and “whose turn is it to have a final?” Refereeing = top sport. Not a healthy situation for a top sporter. I guess we all prefer a meritocracy system…
Batta: ‘Roberto, I’m stepping back but promise me one thing: not a Dutchman again in the finals”
DeleteThis is how it goes right :D
Mmm I quite liked it that Kuipers had the Euro final, after missing the WC 2014 final because his country reached the semi final, however I don’t like the used appointment strategy by committee “to hide the selected final referee”.
DeleteLast year I also never realized that Kuipers might frustrate Makkelie’s final chances on a short term.
Honestly I think that Makkelie is even more talented and passionated when it comes up to refereeing. Fortunately he is still quite young. 5-6 years to go
Rosetti is always hiding the anticipated final referee and burning all others great referees. This is exactly what Mikael motivated a while ago on this blog and I can only agree.
ReplyDeleteAt Euro 2020, Mateu (FRA-POR): use him in that game and he was burned in advance.
Brych (BEL-POR) also had a tough game. He stayed but no final chances for him. Cakir: well, we all know what happened…
CL 2022: Makkelie (RMA-PSG) had a great(!) game but still burned, as the losing side (el Khalaifi and Poch) blamed their loss on him. The same applied to Marciniak (RMA-CHE). Tuchel blamed him after the match.
When you use a referee in a return leg, in a high profile game, and the game is tight, you already know that the manager of the losing side will (almost) always point at the referee. Looking for excuses, trying to save his own ass
This is starting to be predictable. Politics at its best. Disgusting.
Anyway, on-topic, great(!) game of Kovacs. I’m very happy for him!
Siebert also destroyed
DeleteSeibert got set up to fail by Rossetti. Not the first time he has done that. Seibert refereeing Atletico who are 1-0 down away in Madrid in his NINTH EVER game in the CL?
DeleteA normal person would indicate he is being fast tracked for the World Cup, to be the next ‘Felix Brych’. I say he is being set up to fail by Rossetti
Vincic has no game this weekend.
ReplyDeleteCan we expect him in Madrid next week with Kuipers?
Someone mentioned that 4th officials are probably saved for a final. Vincic is saved for the UEL final.
DeleteMakkelie with Kuipers also not possible unless they swap observers. Orsato back ??
I did not agree with assumption that 4th official cannot have any game next week. Obvious prediction is Turpin in Madrid, the only big name last. Orsato could be recovered but he didnt officiate any domestic/international game for 40 days, so hard to appoint.
DeleteWe will have a surprise name in VIL-LIV (Vincic/Jovanovic/Siebert/Cakir/Zwayer) and Turpin in RMA-MCI, and the Dutchman in Paris.
I am going against the overwhelming majority here on Kovacs performance last night.
ReplyDeleteHe will not get another game in the Champions League, the Europa League or the Conference league this tournament.
3 reasons:
In addition to what I blogged yesterday about his blundering the advantage on Silva's goal, Kovacs didn't even signaled advantage until the ball was in the net.
2. He mismanaged the penalty by allowing players to mob him
3. The game was managed by the players themselves. They "came to play". Something ALL of us who have refereed at high levels know what a joy that is AND how it allows you to focus.
Bensama's reaction to the bundled advantage says it all: he smiled and shook his head knowing how he and his teammates were "fooled" by the referee BUT fooled within technically by the Law.
Politics plays the deciding card in appointments BUT the cards the referee plays before hand can put you out of the running before then.
He did signal advantage with one arm before the ball went in, have a look
DeleteGood nuance. I agree that he was helped by 22 players focused on playing football, good behaviours and almost no fouls. However, when a game is quiet, this can also be thanks to the referee. Kovacs is very talented. He has a bright future.
DeleteMaybe an unpopular opinion in general, but I really think that, if we want to ‘separate the wheat from the chaff’ (the good referees from the best), you can only do that by observing a referee in a really challenging game. For example games with players that try to control or mob a referee, or games that are full of KMI’s.
Is the use of just one arm to signify advantage in the rules? I thought it needed to be both arms.
DeleteI find some of the comments baffling, especially John M.
ReplyDeleteDelaying whistle was perfect for that situation, allowed a goal
Penalty gave himslf thinking time, "mobbing" needs to be stopped by the governing body supporting referees more, not picking on 1 referee in a SF
His calm manner assisted the game but no it was "too easy" - you have obviously never refereed any game of significance
Yet had it been over whistled that would have been his fault.
No performance is perfect but last nights was pretty close
I completely agree with you Ex Eng Ref, every word! I was astonished by the lack of understanding of refereeing by John M as well.
DeleteAnd even if his observations would have been valid, it would have been minor points in a generally very good performance. Using words like ‘blundering’ and ‘mismanagement’ is simply laughable.