Tuesday 3 May 2022

Champions League 2021/22 - Referee Appointments - Semifinals (Second Leg, I)

Please find below the officials in charge of Villarreal - Liverpool, 2021/22 UEFA Champions League semifinal, second leg. 


3 May 2022

21:00 CET - Estadio de la Cerámica (Villarreal)
Villarreal CF (ESP) - Liverpool FC (ENG) 
Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED)
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries (NED)
Fourth Official: Serdar Gözübüyük (NED)
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Higler (NED)
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas (SCO) 
UEFA Delegate: Charles Schaack (LUX)

105 comments:

  1. It seems confirmed : Turpin run for the final
    And Makkelie has the less-interesting SF.

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  2. Ceferin has completely ruined the independence of the referees. Totally unacceptable.

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  3. Well, if I say "unexpected appointment", that would be not enough for explaining the big suprise for me after having read Makkelie's name for a semifinal. As I wrote in past weeks, everything looked to be clear about his choice for CL final this season. My opinion is that after the game Real - PSG committee changed idea and they didn't want to appoint him for what happened due to PSG protests. To me, this can be only explanation, because otherwise he would have handled the final without doubts. Also, the fact that he has been selected for the "minor" semifinal, for me this means that for this season committee didn't want to appoint him again in a sonorous clash after Madrid facts, and that's not fair if you ask me. Now easy to guess that Turpin will get CL final, but absolutely unexpected, he wasn't planned at the beginning, also because he had officiated EL final just one year ago and he is still without CL semifinal (not important, of course, but the path was clear for Makkelie...). For me this is not a technical choice, but rather a choice based on other arguments. I can't say that Turpin didn't deserve it, but surely he got it in a very unexpected way. I'm sure Makkelie will b strong contender next year.

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  4. What apity for excellent referee makkelie i feel sorry for him he deserved ucl 2022 final after great season for him and he candidated for the final ucl last season if real Madrid reached the final i hope he will referee the final ucl next season

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  5. Just one question. How the referees are supposed to handle games involving Italian clubs and PSG if it's quite clear that every single CONTROVERSIAL INCIDENT assessed against these clubs will ruin their chance to get something big? And it's a very important question...

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  6. That's clear 2 conditions in the final: the first real Madrid vs villareal : Taylor England the second any another option: Turpin France

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    1. Naaa it is clear now that CL final referee is already assigned and it will be Turpin, committee never waited for knowing the nationality of teams after semifinals results. Taylor waits for Conference League final and he is suitable name for "Italian teams", with Roma very likely to reach the final...

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    2. After 36 years french referee will referee ucl final after vautrout in 1986 why not quiniou 3 worldcup i don't know the reason Quiniou didn't referee the final with 3 worldcup total 8 matches in wc ?

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    3. Maybe Mikael, as big refereeing expert and by far more than me, can give an answer to this question, I'm sure he will do that...

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    4. Only last year, the final was handled by Antonio Mateu Lahoz right after Chelsea defeated Real Madrid in the semi-finals. This year, however, it does rather not seem as we could expect an all-Spanish final (with Anthony Taylor in the middle).

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  7. Rossetti by this method destroyed excellent referees such as lahoz in last euro and makkelie in this ucl and before cakir in Euro 2020 qualified

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  8. Wow, I think this is the most disgraceful and political final appointment I ever witnessed and that says a lot in this time of the worst referee management. Feel very sorry for Makkelie. Turpin is a fine referee, but not good enough for a UCL final for me, but happy for him, hope he will do well.

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  9. Well all cards in favour of Turpin.
    If thats the case, congrats to hom, but IMO too early, I thought that this was Makkelie's year, but hey, French lobby is also strong+damaging Psg must have hurt his chances.

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    1. Too early for Turpin but not for Makkelie? Turpin is more experienced than Makkelie.

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    2. @Smala: that's not true. Makkelie has officiated more matches in his entire career than Turpin. Also more challenging and sonorous matches in advanced stages of tournaments. Two semi-final experiences.

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    1. He still has many years ahead of him. Sooner or later he will get it. He is very professional and passionate about refereeing so I'm pretty sure he will always stay motivated.

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  11. Indeed this is a very strange choice, a normal observer could have been expected, given the context. It is not a big match and very likely the last appearance of the Dutch for this season in European cups. What should Dallas observe there, I don't know :)

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  13. More an observer of this thread than a commenter but I feel compelled to comment after some of the earlier comments.
    Firstly, I totally agree that Danny Makkelie is worthy of refereeing this year's Champions League (something that, although unlikely, is still not ruled out!) I also agree that it is strange that he wasn't appointed to a UCL quarter final match.
    What I cannot agree with, though, is the complete disrespect that users on here are giving to Villarreal CF, Liverpool FC and the UEFA Champions League in general. Some of the comments suggest that this appointment is akin to a pre-season friendly between two amateur teams. It is the SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG of the supposed greatest club competition in the world.
    It is completely disrespectful (I write as a Liverpool fan) to Villarreal and their manager, whose European record is astonishing, and the assumption that this tie is already over. Liverpool never tend to do things easy, especially in semi finals of the UCL! You may recall back in 2018 they took a 5-2 lead back to Rome but lost 4-2 in the Olimpico - a match, of course, that was refereed by the man who would whistle the final only 12 months later.
    Yes, express disappointment that Makkelie looks unlikely to get this year's Final but let's not devalue this appointment - regardless of the teams, the score, the eventual outcome - being appointed to the semi final (particularly second leg) is a great honour and achievement for any referee.
    Congratulations to Danny and team on this well-deserved appointment and I wish you all the best for a great game.

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    1. I suppose you are referring to my comment.

      100% agree that a semi final is a great achievement for every referee and that nothing is decided yet.
      I write this as a Liverpool fan as well and in my opinion Makkelie deserves either the CL final or the biggest SF on paper, after his brave masterclass performance in Madrid, and after being excluded from QF CL and his over-all steady season. I just don't understand the appointment strategy and the Makkelie treatment. That's all.

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    2. Lahoz didn't referee roma vs Liverpool in 2018 referee was skomina in Rome and the match in Liverpool was brych

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    3. @anonymous wasn't referring to a particular comment just the general consensus on here although the one that stuck out the most - from Chefren of all people - was the reference that this is "not a big match", I just don't get it. Villarreal won the Europa League last season and have already disposed of Juventus and Bayern in this season's knockout stages. The atmosphere will be electric on Tuesday night and it should be a great occasion for all three teams.
      @Mohamed, I don't know what you mean about Lahoz? I was clearly referencing Skomina - Semi Final in Rome, 2018 and 12 months later Final in Madrid.

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  14. I see that we are assuming that Turpin is going to direct the final. My question is: is it certain that Orsato will direct tomorrow's semi-final? What if the referee was Turpin?

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    1. If it is Turpin on Wednesday, Marciniak becomes the favourite for the final, I think.

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  15. I don't think it will be Orsato for the 2nd SF.
    Maybe Vinčić (as if it's a strange choice).
    Zwayer and Çakir impossible

    Marciniak as 4th official for the CL final

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  16. Predictions SF/F

    Real Madrid-ManCity: Daniele Orsato
    Final: Clement Turpin

    Rangers-Leipzig: Halil Umut Meler
    Frankfurt-Westham: Mateu Lahoz
    Final:Slavko Vincic

    Roma-Leicester: Sandro Schaerer
    Marseille-Feyenoord: Felix Zwayer
    Final:Anthony Taylor/Del cerro Grande

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  17. Indeed a suprising appointment. And the scenes in Paris may have had some influence on the decision of the committee. But it has been before that a ref had both a SF and after that a final.

    What if the planned ref for the SF isn't available and therefore the put the most trusted referee in place. Low profile match, so less risk for the final that something goes wrong. Couldn't that be a scenario aswell?

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  18. Predictions:

    Real Madrid - Manchester City Daniele Orsato (ITA)
    Rangers - Leipzig Sandro Schaerer (SUI)
    Eintracht Frankfurt - West Ham Srdan Jovanovic (SRB)
    Marseille - Feyenoord Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
    Roma - Leicester City Felix Zwayer (GER)

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    1. And if Daniele Orsato is not appointed ? Who ?

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    2. Vincic is the only other option.

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    3. I agree but my prediction in Rome is Jovanovic

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    4. My predictions:
      RMA - MCI: Daniele Orsato
      FRA-WHU: Slavko Vincic
      RAN-LEI: Anthony Taylor
      ROM - LEI: Antonio Mateu Lahoz
      OLM - FEY: Davide Massa

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    5. Well, clearly Taylor cannot referee Rangers v Leipzig.

      In any event, it is Soares who will be in charge in Glasgow.

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  19. What a surprise this appointment. My feeling is that the Qatar money has a big influence on this appointment and that is a feeling i dont like at all

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  20. How can an incident that was proved/deemed to be correct affect a referee's future appointments?
    Where is the incentive for referees to make correct decisions against certain teams, in case they turn out to be important?
    I understand politics plays a part in appointments but to penalise a referee who was factually right is a traversty.
    I, unlike some others, do not feel Turpin is as good as many of his peers

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  21. Match: Anderlecht - Club Bruges
    Referee: Nathan Verboomen - VAR: Bram Van Driessche
    Situation: https://twitter.com/i/status/1520805869025378306

    The referee did not think it was a mistake and the VAR did not intervene.
    I would give a penalty, I am a referee in Belgium (at the moment mainly active with U15-U17 teams).
    The moment the player wants to head, he is pushed by the defender. It's really obvious that he's pushing with both hands.

    What do you think?
    What is your opinion?

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    1. The VAR must be blind!! This is a clear foul, so penalty!

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  22. Although everyone including me was 90% sure Makkelie would get the CL Final, I don't mind Turpin getting it because Turpin has been the best in France for a long time, but Makkelie has been in Kuipers' shadow until maybe only two years ago. That being said, this is a unique year with Brych, Skomina, Kuipers gone, Cakir out of favor, Orsato injured, and Lahoz poor, meaning that handing four referees who have never called a CL semifinal or final might have been seen as risky. Do you think we're at a 2016 level of strangeness, where Cakir did two semifinals and Clattenburg did the SF and Final? Maybe we Makkelie again for the Final.

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  23. No when clattenburg in 2016 refereed sf and final he refereed 1st semi final match not 2 nd semi final makkelie happen now it is not logic the same referee will referee 2 matches in row to the same team

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  24. Glasgow Celtic vs. Glasgow Rangers derby played yesterday, referee John Beaton (UEFA 1st).

    28' - penalty area incident, potential simulation
    https://streamable.com/yr0azx

    31' - potential penalty to Celtic (blocking)
    https://streamable.com/fd0tus

    41' - correct onside call, then offside call by AR1 Frank Connor
    https://streamable.com/r1gsgs

    47' - potential penalty to Rangers (handling)
    https://streamable.com/epyb1g

    50' - caution to Celtic no.50 (tackle); reckless vs. SFP
    https://streamable.com/uhq7ib

    55' - incorrect onside call by AR2 Graeme Stewart
    https://streamable.com/fym45p

    64' - caution to Rangers no.31 (SPA - holding), teamwork
    https://streamable.com/wbnvwe

    65' - handling call against Rangers no.23
    https://streamable.com/26kowk

    72’ - caution to Celtic no.6 (SPA-Reckless)
    https://streamable.com/v4nh3p

    75’ - after play on call, potential penalty to Celtic (handling)
    https://streamable.com/j6ndti

    77’ - caution to Celtic no.7 (persistence)
    https://streamable.com/u3ggjc

    77’ - caution to Rangers no.14 (challenge)
    https://streamable.com/nc4kt4

    79’ - play on call after Rangers no.6’s tackle
    https://streamable.com/c8kf51

    87’ - caution to Rangers no.9 (SPA - holding); SPA vs. DOGSO
    https://streamable.com/qpmuov

    +90 - series:
    - correct offside call by Graeme Stewart
    - incorrect offside call by Frank Connor, prior foul(?), management, teamwork
    - potential caution to Celtic no.18
    - caution to Rangers no.6 (dissent)
    https://streamable.com/6rdihl

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    1. Mikael please where your analysis of worldcup 1990 knockout stages in your project?

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    1. I also think Makkelie should received the final but I don`t want to rush into saying that he is subject to a harsh treatment like Lahoz or even worse like Cakir. It is a little bit to early for that, let`s wait to see his management in future.

      "Turpin's appointments have been very safe over the last three years." - Well, the difficult games went to Cakir, Kuipers and Brych for years. Furthermore, many of us always had the impression that Turpin often cracks under big pressure games, with all respect. So your statement has a logic explanation. Turpin had some good games in this season of UCL but it was mainly carried by Marciniak, especially in KO stage.


      Starting with the next season, things could go back in normal if Makkelie get the UCL final in 2023. And the referee who has the UEL final to get the UCL final two years later. For example, Marciniak 2022 UEL final - 2024 UCL final, who has the 2023 UEL final - 2025 UCL and so on. The other candiadates for future: Siebert, Vincic, Kovacs.

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  27. Orsato in RMA v MCI

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  28. Real Madrid (ESP) - Manchester City (ENG)
    Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
    Assistant Referee: Ciro Carbone (ITA)
    Assistant Referee: Alessandro Giallatini (ITA)
    Fourth Official: Davide Massa (ITA)
    VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
    AVAR: Paolo Valeri (ITA)

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  29. I was just reading a referee topic on a (different) football forum. People over there were cheering for Turpin, as most probably being the selected CL final referee. And stating that just a "minority" of people wanted Makkelie in the final.

    I respect Turpin very much as a referee, appreciate him as a person in the documentary and I was rooting for him to reach the CL final one day (just not this season). All the best to him and his team.
    But in all seriousness: how can people be cheering for Turpin without critizing UEFA and how they are dealing with the PSG president who is still unpunished (obviously a cover-up), without critizing Ceferin not being independent from Ref committee, and last but not least: without feeling sorry for Danny Makkelie who is obviously screwed by the incidents in Madrid?

    My mind was blown. Am I the only one who thinks, this is quite rude towards the Dutchman?

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  30. I now watched Danny Makkelie's game in Kuwait played on 25th April (Al-Yarmouk vs. Al-Fahaheel). Overall, the Dutchman refereed the challenging match well. Makkelie correctly realised that to stringently apply the UEFA22 guidelines to such a quite intense and technically rather poor match would have been ill-judged, and while he had small problems in finding a clear and predictable line in judging foul duels (especially in the first half), overall he played it well with few problems. I really liked that he put a lot effort into making his local linesman feel as at ease as possible in this ad hoc team, deliberately making eye contact, small supportive gestures early on, etcetera. It is to Makkelie's credit that despite being quite 'above' such a (technically weak) match in the relegation battle of Kuwait's league, he gave quite the opposite of a haughty impression on this match: friendly and supportive to his ARs, always visibly motivated and focused.

    I hope it is not overkill having spoken about some of these scenes before, but below are the (quite interesting) key incidents:

    24’ - potential penalty to Al-Fahaheel (tripping)
    https://youtu.be/NI2z6n5HiKg?t=2249

    28’ - potential foul in APP prior to Al-Yarmouk’s 1-0 goal
    https://youtu.be/NI2z6n5HiKg?t=2490

    35’ - caution to Al-Fahaheel no.15 (tackle); reckless vs. SFP
    https://youtu.be/NI2z6n5HiKg?t=2882

    44’ - penalty given to Al-Fahaheel (tackle) + YC (SPA/Reckless)
    https://youtu.be/NI2z6n5HiKg?t=3427

    53’ - advantage played after challenge by Al-Fahaheel no.19; reckless vs. SFP
    https://youtu.be/NI2z6n5HiKg?t=4190

    65’ - penalty given to Al-Fahaheel (holding) + YC (SPA); SPA vs. DOGSO
    https://youtu.be/NI2z6n5HiKg?t=4924

    69’ - potential penalty to Al-Fahaheel (tripping)
    https://youtu.be/NI2z6n5HiKg?t=5142

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  31. German cup final, 21.5.:
    SC Freiburg - RB Leipzig: Sascha Stegemann (UEFA 1st), Mike Pickel (WC10 referee, last match of his career), Frederick Assmuth, Robert Schröder - Sören Storks, Christian Gittelmann (EURO21 final AVAR)

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  32. It turned immediately in a very challenging game for Makkelie, after the early goal scored by Villarreal. It will be interesting to see, not the expected easy game that one could have maybe guessed, so far.

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    1. I fully understand that there have been discussions about who deserved the Final more, Makkelie or Turpin. While Makkelie had a better season, I do not think that it would be undeserved for Turpin to get it. However, what I simply cannot understand: Why Villareal is being underestimated again and again. They went through against Juventus and Bayern... In my view Rosetti HAD to expect a tough game for the referee in a semi-final considering the backstory and therefore the appointment is everything but a "punishment" for Makkelie.

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  33. Is the "get up" gesture rude too when it's Makkelie doing it and not Turpin ? ;)
    A little bit provocative but just to illustrate the difference of treatment on this blog between two equally good referees.

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    1. There are plenty of top referees that use this gesture, not just Makkelie and Turpin. Which is why I personally don't have an issue with it.

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    2. @ Ref: I think, many people in general don't like Turpin's style and (slightly pedantic) manners. That's a matter of taste. I also think, in general, Makkelie's authority and manners are a bit more natural. As a police inspector, he is is an authority in his daily life.

      Turpin is a small man (1.75m tall) and has the same weight as my girlfriend :D, so in other words, his physical presence is not his weapon. He is compensating this with his typical body language and facial expressions. I like and appreciate both styles !

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  34. Makkelie often chooses play on... I like it

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  35. Big no penalty call for the Dutch officials. Fully supported as the keeper got the ball with the opponents momentum causing the collision

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    1. For me the first contact is with Lo Celso, afterwards GK touches the ball. The thing is more, to be consistent you almost can't whistle now something which has even rhe slightest doubt.

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  36. Clear penalty. Lo Celso got the ball first. Unfortunately, obvious mistake by Makkelie

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  37. Rigore netto...errore grossolano

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  38. I agree with Mekkelie's choice, coherent with his style tonight. The goalkeeper clearly touches the ball, then there is a contact but just dynamics. Perfect positioning by Makkelie

    This is a borderline episode, I think every decision taken, if well supported, has to be considered correct

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  39. That penalty decision is the definition of "grey area". IMO both play on and penalty are totally supportable by VAR.

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  40. Penalty appeal by Villarreal, Makkelie very convinced about his decision to consider the challenge by keeper as fair on the ball. He made very clear gestures. Watching replay, I must say that it was correct by VAR to support, penalty in case should have been whistled direcly by him, not VAR stuff because one can have arguments for both calls.

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    1. I think it was clear that it's not a penalty. It was more a foul agoinst Vilareal in that case.
      Makkelie produced a great first half!

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    2. Chefren my best friend i disagree with you no PK for villareal GK play the ball and no fault from GK against the attaker

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  41. Absolutely weird game with many borderline duels. Difficult to find the right line in this type of games. Danny Makkelie tries to be in line with UEFA directives (with 2-3 fouls missed) and that is making the game even hotter. We see many dissenting behaviours from Villarreal players. The Dutchman tries to manage it with his personality but I think a stronger reaction should have followed in 39'. Now, with Villarreal surprisingly being on level with Liverpool, the second half is going to be even more crazy.

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  42. Excellent refereeing makkelie in the first half

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  43. A perfect work by both assistant referees, all excellent calls.

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  44. No penalty. Excellent decision by Danny. Perfect job tonight.

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  45. Excellent refereeing Danny makkelie one of the best 5 referees in the world now in my opinion

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  46. Nothing new we could say, another very good performance by the Dutch in this semifinal. Extremely challenging first half due to goal scored by Villarreal. The difficult lasted for a long time in the game, then second half saw the comeback of Liverpool, in this context correct decisions regarding cards, including sending off. Faultless assistant referees. About the possible penalty in first half, with many different opinions, one must back referee. Another factor to add is the very quick assessment he made, he looked to be really convinced, that's a good aspect in body language. I don't think there will be discussions about that incidents, because my feeling is that the game would have gone in this direction in all cases, Villarreal made everything in first half, then they had to give up when Liverpool came and started to play. A nice football match and now let's wait for tomorrow. I think Makkelie can be proud of this season, waiting for the next one.

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  47. If the final is Liverpool vs City I hope Anthony Taylor will be the final referee, and Michael Oliver as 4th official, and if Liverpool vs Madrid the referee is Makkelie or non European referee

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    1. Impossible to see an English referee (same rule for a 4th official) and an european ref at this moment of the competition without a decision by the UEFA (as the Euro 2020)

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  48. Excellent Makkelie tonight, as almost always. Is a pleasure to see him, what a great referee!

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  49. Makkelie must be protect of hot matches next season in ucl to referee the final ucl 2023

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    1. We will see the decisions by committee on next seasons, I can't indeed exclude that they could give Makkelie back something he deserved earlier, acting indeed in this way, it wouldn't be the first time...

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  50. Chefren my best friend after makkelie excellent refereeing today and this season and last season's i hope uefa referees committee must give him the ucl final next year

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  51. I really liked Makkelie's performance tonight. My only issue was the red card for a second yellow card. He clearly forgot that he had already booked him. Might seem like a nit-pick to some but I personally don't like when referees issue a yellow card without realising they already gave the same player one earlier as it causes a delay in showing the red and can lead to a perception that the referee doesn't know what they are doing. Not tonight of course because Makkelie was in full control.

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  52. Great match from Makkelie, every big decision was correct, especially no penalty and clear 2nd YC.

    What impressed me was his quick and calm decisions, preventing conflicts, not giving penalty and how he managed late agression from Villareal players.

    YC given to Torres really showed how well he was handling this match-saw the foul, had the card in his hands, prevented Liverpool players in arguong with him and showed YC.

    Great match and also great season from Makkelie, definetely deserves The Final, but hey, why would UEFA reward someone who had great season?

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  53. Replies
    1. (1/3)

      >> Key Match Incident

      The rest are below, but let’s first focus on the biggest call of the night - no penalty for Foyth, Villarreal in the latter part of the first half.

      37' - https://streamable.com/fyl5m2
      I don't think one commenter actually explicitly praised Makkelie (enough) for this decision - "supportable, grey area, consistent with his approach" - and I disagree. This was nothing other than a WORLD CLASS piece of officiating, and my highest regards for it. This is NEVER a penalty, in any game, and to award a spot kick here would have been a travesty, especially in a CL SF (VAR would have been forced to support). Makkelie saw through it brilliantly.

      The sequence at 00:41 in the clip proves it -
      1) Foyth touches the ball around Alisson, looking at him all the while
      2) then he jerks his right leg up in the air in a weird way, as a kind of ‘shield’, preparing for the inevitable contact with the goalkeeper, in order to try and win a pk; Foyth completely lost any interest in the ball here
      3) Alisson saves the ball 100% fairly
      4) the collision which Foyth deliberately generated occurs, with the VIL player trying to exaggerate in order to win a call and put pressure on the referee

      Foyth, a defender, obviously didn’t fancy himself in 1-on-1, and calculated that trying to ‘win’ a penalty was his best bet. Makkelie sees right through it. And his management is superb - very clear gestures immediately, calming dealing with the ‘genuine’ dissenting player, then furiously dealing with the ‘artificial’ mobbing player group, before quickly getting clearance from Van Boekel (credit to him here too!). Remember how Higler looked an idiot when he furiously accused a player of diving before he had to then award him a penalty after OFR? It takes nerve and skill to pull off really decisive management with VAR in operation, and Makkelie certainly had/has both in spades. For me, perfection in this scene: chapeau.

      (Though, I didn’t like the ‘free shot’ that he gave Foyth later to shout in his face (38:35), a ‘weak’ image of refereeing presented here; however, one can surely understand Makkelie not wanting to fan the flames of already furious Villarreal crowd/players by issuing a deserved dissent caution, warning was never going to yield anything, so he decided best to turn a blind eye; not ideal for sure, but understandable I’d argue).

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    2. (2/3)

      >> Key Match Incidents (other)

      12' - https://streamable.com/1y7s8u
      While Keïta does strike Coquelin in some kind (borderline careless) of manner, never enough for a penalty call after the voluntary fall and moreover attitude of the Villarreal player trying to unsportingly 'win' the call. Correct go on.

      51’ - https://streamable.com/cgniup
      Potential penalty in ‘after the ball is shot away’ category. With the contact basically careless, and rather an enthusiastic attempt to block the ball by the defender, definitely correct to go on here.

      63’ - https://streamable.com/m22pm1
      Very reckless tackle by Capoue. Overrunning the ball, lunging in - all of the SFP alarm bells would have been ringing. However, replays prove that the foul was only worthy of yellow: not a (fully) loaded leg by the VIL player, the contact was down-facing and on the studs. Correct caution, any other outcome would have been a mistake.

      84’ - https://streamable.com/h9tgml
      Quite a clear example of ‘tackle as an attack’ in my opinion - Torres is obviously frustrated at the result and specifically the previous (correct) play on call, and simply decides to take Mané out of the game with any force necessary - so, my preferred call on an educational level would be: red card, excessive force. However, given that UEFA don’t agree with me, I think Makkelie handles this scene optimally: calming the furious Liverpool player, pulling the offender out, slow caution procedure to allow everyone to calm, visibly trying to ‘reach’ the player emotionally to calm him down, yellow card. (Btw: it is hilarious how many (refereeing!) people view TaaA scenes, (rightly!) shout red card from the live sequence, and then watch the zoomed-in slow-motion replays and say “never a red card!” :D).

      85’ - https://streamable.com/y795a1
      Correct second caution, no further discussion needed. Somehow surprising that Makkelie didn’t remember cautioning Capoue (only a few booked in this match), but that shows that the Dutchman was in ‘terminator mode’ now, punishing Villarreal’s frustration offences as a law-enforcer in order to keep control. In favour of my ‘fouls an attack’/match control vision I spoke about in the past - this foul never happens if the 84’ scene is (IMO) correctly punished! :P

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      >> Managing the Game

      The easiest of the four semifinal designations? ;)

      It would have probably been somewhat understandable if Danny Makkelie had entered the field of play with the same attitude as of D. Skomina in his basically mirror assignment in 2018: pretty grumpy and p*ssed off. While Villarreal’s very early goal never really gave even the chance for that, Makkelie managed to show the same very good refereeing which brought him to cusp of the final itself in this semifinal, and was well up to the demands of this challenging assignment.

      As all performances in this current knockout stage, they have to be viewed through the prism of the UEFA22 issued guidelines regarding foul selection. On the most purely didactic level, it would not be wrong to say that Makkelie’s line regarding contacts was a bit haphazard and not terribly predictable on some occasions. A missed (ignored?) holding incident at 9’ and, to be quite honest, ridiculous play on after blatant impeding at 30’ were the nadirs of this. However - in the end, the Dutchman managed to synthesise the SPIRIT of the guidelines (lettingthegameflow) with the sensible approach of a European Cup semifinal amidst such a context, in order to reach a basically satisfying result.

      His top-down, assured and firm manner also succeeded. Makkelie always managed to stay calm and keep everything in view, in a very hot and frenzied atmosphere. Calming dealing with mobbing at 9’, furiously at 37’, were the right choices for the game. Even a (Liverpool fan) football friend texted me to that effect - “this referee Makkelie is very good, isn’t he?” - remarking on his ability to remain completely unimpressed despite such a context. Having watched Makkelie many times, also from the Arab world, we can say that he is simply a master at this skill in football refereeing, quite unmatched.

      In the end, it all turned quite sour for Villarreal in the second half, and Makkelie ‘managed their decline’ basically painlessly for the officials. He seamlessly transferred to a control-focused, law enforcer approach, as the circumstances then demanded.


      >> Balance

      Danny Makkelie had a very good night in the Villarreal vs. Liverpool semifinal. For some, the game was perhaps unexpectedly challenging, but the Dutch official was well up to mark with a strong performance. The key scene of the night, the 37’ penalty appeal, was solved PERFECTLY by Makkelie, and for UEFA, I’m sure he solved all six KMIs that I raised in an optimal way. While foul recognition was (sometimes) a bit messy in the 1H, I think it is fair to say that the Dutchman did more-or-less about as well as was feasible given the hand that the referees have been dealt this spring. His personality/manner skills are well-versed to environments yet tougher than this.

      If Makkelie ascertained in this match that he would have been a great choice for the final this year, sometimes, sh*t does happen. Keeping this level of performance up, he will surely be the first candidate for Istanbul 2023, and perhaps even for a yet bigger final to come before that. It would be quite well-deserved too. But let’s finish by talking about tonight: congratulations to Makkelie and team for a (very) convincing performance in the UEFA Champions League semifinal!

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    4. I agree with most of your analysis, Mikael, but it was Lo Celso and not Foyth, so not a defender, but a highly skilled attacker that must not fear such a situation from a technical standpoint. But I agree that also he decided to try to "win" a penalty hear and to put pressure on the referee because he was to late to get around the goalkeeper.

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    6. No, in this case only a YC should have been issued, if you qualify a foul as DOGSO. GK here clearly tries to play the ball.

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    7. Hahahaha - thanks Cassius. One can often make the easy joke of making a 7,9 error when writing a comment wrong, I fear this is actually more of the 7,7 variety! I hope it doesn't spoil the analysis (much) anyway. :)

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    8. It was a question. I am not as well informed regarding the 2022 guidelines as you. Anyway, comment deleted. I don't have to accept people making jokes about me.

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    9. JV - my comment was not aimed at you at all! I was remarking on my own inability to distinguish between Foyth and Lo Celso in the analysis above, as rightly pointed out by Cassius. I'm sorry that you took it in a contrary way!

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    10. Ahh sorry. Makes sense now

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  54. Yes, I noticed that he was searching for the best line in foul detection. A bit inconsistent sometimes, players didn't make it easy, but management and decision making (KMI's) were top notch.
    After all, good choice of Rosetti to appoint the Dutchman in this challenging 2nd leg. Compared to the MCI-RMA game, the temperature in Villareal was rising quickly, and more fouls. Typical Makkelie game. He continues his reputation of being appointed to hot matches and mobbing teams (very bad image for football!) but always handled perfectly by him. Not influenced or impressed by anything or anyone. I read somewhere that he worked as a cop on the streets for long time, handling the 911 alarms. That's cool and you can see the benefit on the pitch.

    In June there is a very sensitive WC play-off match involving Ukraine and Wales, and a play-off final. Can we expect him there?

    I'm afraid the WC final is not a possibility because of mr Qatar and history learns us that the UEFA ref in a WC final always has that CL final experience. However, he is one of the best and most versatile refs now and will do great out there.

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    1. *Scotland and Ukraine

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    2. Hungarian referee sandor puhl referee ucl final in 1997 after refereeing wc 1994 final

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  55. Owner of Villareal blaming the referee for their loss after the match. What's new.

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    1. Fortunately, Rosetti never cares about headlines. Oh wait...

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  56. I think last night we´ve seen yet another very good performance by Danny Makkelie, who is the best referee in Europe by miles this season. I think the way he consistently showed this level in many difficult games especially after the mistake he made in EURO semi final shows his mental strength. It´s a big big shame that he won´t get UCL final this year, one for which the already failing referee boss Rosetti should definitely be forced to resign, but we all know what won´t happen. I trust Danny will keep on going like this next season and he should be a big candidate for both world cup final and UCL final.

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  57. I can be wrong, but is the intensity of (almost all) 2nd legs since the abolishments of away goals even more heavier than it used to be?
    On the other hand, 1st legs seem to be calmer as it doesn't matter where the goals are scored and players know they have another 90 min to turn things around. Referees aiming for a CL final should hope to be appointed to a 1st leg, I presume, to stay under the radar. 2nd legs also generate more headlines, angry presidents, and so on.

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    1. Maybe this is the real reason, why the first matchs where really quite and calm. But i think this is sth positive for the competition in general (the away gol rul abolished).

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  58. I suggest changing the blog title to Makkeliefanclub.com or turpinnoforuclfinal.com :D

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