2022-23 UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals, First Legs, referee appointments for Wednesday's games. As it was for Tuesday's games, two committee members will oversee the officials.
12 April 2023
AC Milan (ITA) - SSC Napoli (ITA)
Referee: István Kovács (ROU)
Assistant Referee 1: Vasile Florin Marinescu (ROU)
Assistant Referee 2: Mihai Ovidiu Artene (ROU)
Fourth Official: Horațiu Mircea Feșnic (ROU)
Video Assistant Referee: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
UEFA Referee Observer: Roberto Rosetti (ITA)
UEFA Delegate: Aristeidis Stavropoulos (GRE)
21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) - Chelsea FC (ENG)
Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni (FRA)
Fourth Official: Stéphanie Frappart (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Šajn (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Jānis Mežeckis (LVA)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) - Chelsea FC (ENG)
Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni (FRA)
Fourth Official: Stéphanie Frappart (FRA)
Video Assistant Referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod (FRA)
UEFA Referee Observer: Vladimir Šajn (SVN)
UEFA Delegate: Jānis Mežeckis (LVA)
Surprising appointment for real Madrid vs chelsea letexier and kovacs in milan with Rossetti observer that's mean kovacs will referee uel final this year
ReplyDeleteI am genuinely conscious and quite aware that my only comments bash (current) UEFA refereeing :D, but again... Rosetti watches over one of Europe's 'form' referees to ensure that he delivers the Italian derby in a way that the Italian media will accept, and Letexier, why, what development did he really show to deserve such an ultra-sonorous clash?
ReplyDeleteQUESTION - if Rosetti broke every other UEFA rule so far and is happy to appoint himself to ITA vs. ITA game, why not Orsato for Naples leg...
While for Kovacs it was very likely to expect this assignment (indeed I wrote about that yesterday, given Rosetti as observer in Milan), the big surprise is surely Letexier in Madrid. I like the French as referee for his attitude to take quick decisions, but I must say that in recent times he has shown some poor performances that didn't allow to think he could have got soon such a game. Nevertheless, if we make an analysis on his UEFA career so far, this step was expected. We can just wish him good luck. For sure he is nr. 2 after Turpin in France,. no doubts. About the nature of the game, with an English team is always easier to make such appointments, all will be about Real Madrid and the pressure, but I can agree with committee that second leg wil be definitely more challenging and so here you have this choice for the game in Madrid. Also, important to underline no French VAR, maybe still related to Fiorentina - Braga incident? I must say that Rosetti has been extremely selective in appointing VARs for CL KO stage this season, differently from the past. I say that because France is still a country totally trusted about the technology... but maybe we can also add the argument that the referee involved will face maybe the most important game of his career so far, so here you have WC final VAR...
ReplyDeleteKind of next generation appointments this round with all four referees still being under 40 and therefore available at least for the next three big tournaments.
ReplyDeleteLetexier obviously very unexpected with his KO stage debut directly in such a big game.
Kovacs is a normal appointment. He is probably a candidate for all three finals except ECL this summer, but rather not the favourite due to his final last year.
Kovacs have strong personality that's why Rossetti chose him to referee milan vs napoli
ReplyDeleteRossetti 🙏❤️
ReplyDeleteMohhammedd ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean ?
DeleteRosetti = Rossetti, Mohammed = Mohhammedd.
DeleteYou laugh at me
DeleteConstantine Hatzidakis has been stood down while the investigation into the "elbpw" has been completed
ReplyDeleteWith this I think Rosetti saves Taylor and Turpin for a possible AC - Inter SF, which leads me to say:
ReplyDeleteCHE-RMA: Orsato, or as I read earlier, putting Orsato in Naples doesn't sound so crazy
INT-BEN: Jovanovic?
Maybe Kruzliak?
Umut Meler?
Zwayer?
Or even Gozubuyuk?
And put Makkelie directly in SF so as not to have problems?
Letexier's appointment makes me believe in these possibilities.
BAY-MCI: Marciniak or Makkelie
NAP-AC: Makkelie or Marciniak
And also as I read in a comment, with a good performance in Milan, Kovacs has everything to be the referee of the UEL Final
I think it will be more special for him to lead UEL final in Budapest, he has Hungarian descent, right?
DeleteThe only possible condition to put Taylor in sf ucl will be man city and Chelsea qualified to sf in this condition Taylor will referee the other road winner milan / napoli vs winner inter / benfica 1 st leg and if Chelsea and man city eliminated in qf i think Taylor will referee the final directly
ReplyDeleteMy comment comes a little bit later today than usual, but the important things already have been wrote above. While many people correctly predicted Kovacs in the all-Italian QF, surely Letexier appointment comes as a surprise. Frankly, he was not among my pool of names for this stage of UCL. At least now we can clearly say who is France nr.2. This was not clear if we consider Bastien choice as 4th official with Turpin for the UCL final. It looks like the com. decided between them two, and persoanlly I choose Letexier over Bastien anytime. Agree with Chefren about the fact that he had some shaky performances in the recent times. Oh, and when we remember that he is only 33 years old, impressive achievement!
ReplyDeleteChanging the subject, I was hoping that Zwayer would get a game in UCL as a reward for his good performance in Madrid. But I think it is unlikely to see him in a second leg. Many big names unused yet: Makkelie, Taylor, Orsato, Marciniak, Turpin. Two of them should be directly saved for Semis.
Yes, very unlikely. I think Rosetti will focus on Europa League for Zwayer. :/
DeleteTaylor and Turpin will be saved for SF, having used Oliver and Turpin in QF I don't think there will be 2 appointments from the same country.
DeleteAnd regarding Zwayer, I have him for Manchester - Sevilla on Thursday ;)
*Oliver and Letexier, sorry
DeleteLetexier's appointment remind me Oliver's on 2018 (Madrid vs Juventus 2nd leg QF and that famous brawl, he's as cool as cucumber though. Credits!) He's 33 years old also back then.
DeleteGood for Letexier's development, hope it will go well for him.
And Scharer's injury?
ReplyDeleteWill he recover to go to Argentina in May?
What do the reports say?
Letexier appointment is indeed a clue that Turpin is saved for a semi final UCL. Remember Gozubuyuk last year? :D
ReplyDeleteInteresting observation: Turpin was one of the few big names in the European qualifiers. Vincic another name. A clue that the Slovenian is also saved for a semi final? Both neutral choices.
So, 4 games left. Orsato at Chelsea is written on the streets. Marciniak is expected too. Gozubuyuk will be at U20, so I won’t be surprised to see him in a QF (and Makkelie straight in the SF).
There are some differences. Gozubuyuk QF last year was mainly due to Makkelie/PSG scandal. I think Rosetti really feared that there were serious chances that Al-Khelaifi could have had the power to end Makkelie's UCL season. And Gozubuyuk appointment was cautios compensantion for any eventuality. Now, Turpin is available, but indeed he should be one of the names saved for Semis.
DeleteVincic should be definitely out after the disaster in Machester. Orsato in Chelsea-Real look obvious.
Yes, Gozubuyuk was a compensation to KNVB, and now Letexier is a compensation to FFF because Turpin is saved for SF.
DeleteRemarkable that Kovacs only had 1st legs in the UEFA CL in 2022-2023. I see this as a protection by mr Vassaras, as 2nd leg refs always tend to more in focus and burned by media attention.
ReplyDeleteInteresting observation, all 4 appointed referees in UCL did not work on a European qualifier.
ReplyDeleteElite refs in European qualifiers: Schärer, Dias, Vinčić, Meler, Turpin, Siebert, Sidiropoulos, Grinfeeld, Gözübüyük, Kružliak, Jovanović, Sanchez, Collum, Bastien.
Not appointed in European qualifiers:
- Gil Manzano, Oliver, Kovacs, Letexier (all QF Champions League);
- Orsato, Marciniak, Taylor, Zwayer, Makkelie, Massa (??), Mateu Lahoz, Del Cerro Grande, Kulbakov.
Another observation, Slavko Vincic already had 4 international appointments in 2023. Clement Turpin already 3.
DeleteMarciniak, Taylor, Makkelie all just 1 so far.
Remind me, which 4 appointments did Vincic have? I thought 3.
DeleteAs long as I can remember is 3... Unless you count his overseas fixtures in Egypt and Greek
DeletePlease as of now who is number 2 in Italy, after Orsato?
ReplyDeleteDavid massa
ReplyDeleteOT: Sergii Boiko appointed for his first MLS game this weekend (FC Dallas - Real Salt Lake) on the night between Saturday and Sunday (02:30 CEST)
ReplyDelete5' Correct early YC for Fofana.
ReplyDeleteAnother correct YC in 7' for Camavinga.
DeleteCorrect YC 7' for Camavinga as well
ReplyDeleteLeão broke deliberately the corner flag with a kick, should have been booked by Kovacs, but rather unusal and unexpected situation for a referee. The player was saved from a YC. Apart from that, very easy-going game so far.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would say is that it was not a strong kick and I was surprised the corner flag broke like it did (as was Leao). Seems very weak material.
DeleteYC for Leao for destroying the corner flag?
ReplyDeleteLenient approach by Kovacs, now the first possible YC of the game, he managed with a warning.
ReplyDeleteNow the game turned in a challenging one due to referee's approach, he was forced to issue the first card of the game, but he had to do that before. Not a positive impression from first half, very easy as long as teams were focused on playing the game, but then missed mandatory cards and everything changed. Also, a booking for AC Milan coach. Second half could be extremely challenging.
ReplyDeleteI can't pronounce because I am not at home and my Internet conexion is not great, unfortunately I missed a couple of sequences of the game.
DeleteGood first half from Letexier, I think one little mistake there was a push on Enzo around 25th minure approximately not whistled. Clesea could have had free kick in a dangerous position. But other than that almost perfect.
ReplyDeleteSmall point for improvement: He quite often doesn't signal anything after duels, which makes it look like no decision instead of a confident play on (or advantage) call.
DeleteI agree with Philipp regarding this body language aspect, but still believe he has more than enough time to improve and develop in this area, due to his young age.
DeleteOther than that, a very good performance in the 1H for my taste, including two correct early YCs, both mandatory for me. Let's hope for the same in the 2H.
In 16', there was an interesting penalty appeal by RMA - some contact was created by defender but extremely exaggerated reaction by attacking player made a play-on call optimal.
DeleteTwo mandatory yellow cards for SPA correctly give in the opening minutes. Then, Letexier sensibly chose to avoid bookings in 11' (illegal use of arm), 24' (careless-reckless kick), 25' (high kick).
The RMA coach with dissenting behaviour after a play-on call in 45' (and most likely also having in mind a previous soft defensive FK in favour of CHE in 43' although the AR1 who was very close didn't signal anything).
Letexier is a very good mover, always trying to create an optimal angle, excellently moving backwards, etc.. He interfered with players once in 15' but other than that it's impressive.
Kovacs with a particular attention to second half kick off, only on this blog we can know why :)
ReplyDeleteBelow par performance by Kovacs today. His UCL season will be over after tonight's match.
DeleteExcellent 2 yc for napoli player
DeleteAbsolutely correct RC for DOGSO by Letexier, well done.
ReplyDeleteCorrect RC by Letexier! Clear DOGSO.
ReplyDeleteCorrect RC for DOGSO by Letexier for Chelsea's player.
ReplyDeleteRC for Chilwell, clear DOGSO no discussion.
ReplyDeleteMissed clear YC for Mount
ReplyDeleteAgreed, clear YC for me as well. One mistake in an otherwise very good disciplinary line.
DeleteRosetti definitely won't be happy with Kovacs tonight with no clear line in foul detection (extremely lenient in the first half, much harder in the second). 2YC for me okay, but I don't think UEFA would be extremely happy as they want 150% clear YC if it is a second
ReplyDeleteStrict was obviously the word I was looking for and not harder :)
DeleteIt was a by far better second half by Kovacs, he should have officiated the game with that approach from the beginning, this was the problem. Second YC is OK, would have been excellent with a consistent approach during the full game. The rest was OK, including some play on in minor penalty appeals. A pity what he missed in first half.
DeleteLove to know who they are going to put on the second leg in Naples now. For me has to be a super strong referee
ReplyDeleteMarciniak or Makkelie, no more
DeleteIt will be one of the two, let's remember, already appointed. Observer suggests one that it will be an extremely trusted Elite. Third option would be Turpin, but I rather think Makkelie or Marciniak.
DeleteMakkelie has a game on Sunday in the Dutch 2nd division. A CL game on Tuesday is not likely.
DeleteOrsato would be funny to apppoint there,to break all rules...
DeleteI dont know about Marciniak cause he already handled deciding game to a team from Italy,Porto vs Inter 2nd leg.
Maybe Taylor, Makkelie definitely is candidate ,but one name also:
Mateu.
This match would be perfect for him and he would thrive in that,I have no doubt.
Both teams are Italian,have little bit if latin mentality and are very temperamental.
Lahoz would know how to handle that with his interactions and his own temper imo.
Napoli - Milan has a Spanish referee observer. As a consequence no Spanish referee will lead this game.
DeleteAha,ok then these gentlemen above that you mentioned will be.
DeleteSure Rosetti enjoyed every minute of that surrounded by his compatriots
ReplyDeleteNext week is going to be interesting
ReplyDeleteThis Week's appts were predictable, except Letexier, who gave a great showing
Next week, surely Taylor will get Napoli v Milan in preparation for a possible final. He has a Saturday 3pm game as well at the weekend.
Orsato looks nailed on for Chelsea v R Madrid.
Surely then Marciniak and Makkelie will be shared along the other 2 games. It's really a guessing game between them. I'd say not Turpin due to French involvement already this week.
Thoughts?
As for the finals in 7 weeks time. Letexier has maybe put his name in the hat of the UECL final with tonight's performance, surely Gil Mazano being his main rival. A top elite ref is needed from Spain for Euro 24 so I'd say GM will pip it.
ReplyDeleteUEL, by the sounds of it Kovacs had a night to forget tonight, but who else could take this on. Zwayer? Possibly to get a top German ready for Euros. The same argument is there for Gil Mazano. Bar them there's no other real options.
And we are no closer to the UCL final, perhaps it'll come clearer by this time next week.
Thoughts??
A Frenchman made the UCL final last season, I don't think they will give another Frenchman another final this time but surely Letexier is a name to consider soon.
DeleteAs you say, Kovacs made it difficult for himself to designate himself for the UEL final, I agree that Gil Manzano and Zwayer are options for UEL or UECL.
If Kruzliak does a good job tomorrow, I would add him as a candidate for the UECL final.
For UCL: if Marciniak gets NAP-MIL Makkelie to the final, but if Makkelie gets NAP-MIL Marciniak to the final.
That's how I see it
In the event that Makkelie and Marciniak are designated for the second leg, it will depend on their performance.
DeleteBut for me the name for Istanbul will come from there
I would put the two English names in there for a chance of a final too. UCL is unlikely imo because even if Man City don't reach the final I think there is a much more obvious candidate as I will explain. But I can see one of them doing either UEL/UECL final (again provided no English teams), and surely Taylor is the more likely.
DeleteThere's still a lot of KO games to play of course which can still decide the final referees.
For the UCL, I think the priority is surely Marciniak after his excellent WC final. I think that ordinarily he would be given much higher-profile games as a test, but this perhaps isn't necessary as what bigger test is there than the WC final?
Isn't WC final enough at least for now? As if there's no other candidate deserved the UCL final other than him.
DeleteSome thoughts:
Delete- Letexier and the other U20 WC referees are not available for the finals due to the tournament
- For EL final, I could also imagine a CL final candidate like Taylor and Marciniak, if they don't get the big one.
- Was Kovacs really so bad, that it prevents anything? He certainly didn't improve his situation yesterday, but did he weaken it (without crucial mistake)?
- Oliver got better appointments than Taylor recently, so if it wasn't for age, he should be the English candidate for a final this year
I fully share most of the thoughts of Philippe; I don't think that Kovacs was so bad to totally exclude him, don't forget that it was a very difficult match and I didn't see really crucial mistakes. I would assign EL final to Marciniak; a safe pair of hands, a good recognition for his excellent shape and a way to keep him motivated for still long time. CL could be matter of Taylor or Makkelie, I don't see other names and since the probability to have City in the final seems very high i would not risk to fire Makkelie and I would preserve him directly for the final maybe appoint him on retrurn leg between Siviglia and United. Nobody is talking anymore about Del Cerro Grande; why not UECL final? I guess it would be a recognition of his good carrier as well a safe pair of hands.
DeleteOrsato is 99% assigned to Chelsea-Real but I wondering why is not preserved for the most probable semifinal Real-City (1st leg) with Mateu on the other semifinal.
They don't tend to give Referees a UEL and Super Cup final in this day and age, I think it was Kovacs to lose, but with Rosetti observing him and with it being 2 Italian teams, he was sure to be extra strict with his report. I think Gil Mazano is more than ready, with Copa America experience as well as 2 UCL QFs and a UEL SF as well. He has to get the UECL SF if not this then.
DeleteTaylor candidate n.1 for the ucl final if Chelsea or man city not qualified for the final
DeleteMakkiele candidate n.2 for ucl final if man city or Chelsea qualified for the final
DeleteI think marciniak for napoli vs milan in qf 2 nd leg in napoli
DeleteI guess those who didn't see the game, created an exaggerated bad image of Kovacs' performance last night by reading the comments. I saw about 25 minutes of the first half (not continuously) and about 40 minutes of the second (this time uninterrupted). I didn't like the approach chosen in the first half, but the second half was really ok. The second YC is acceptable, of course Napoli fans will dispute it, but the decision cannot be considered wrong. Indeed, the UCL season is probably over, there are many top referees available for the semi-finals, but I think he will definitely continue in the UEL. A semifinal for sure if not the final. I admit, below par performance but not a disaster. The question is, was it so bad last night that it cancell totally the potential UEL final? I think the answer is no, but it might be a good idea to choose someone else if Juventus or Roma will make it to the final. What is the opinion of Gazzetta/ Corriere dello Sport about last night's performance?
DeleteThe Rosetti's strategy confuse me a little bit. If Marciniak is the main contender for UCL final, then it would not be wise to appoint him for the second leg of the all-Italian QF. This is a nothing-to-win-all-to-loose game for a referee. But who else? Or maybe someone else is viewed with the first chance for UCL final, to keep Marciniak a reason to continue motivated.
I'm just thinking of how unforgiving Rosetti is. Especially if there's Italians in the final, it seems his chances have been damaged but aren't over.
Deletehttps://youtu.be/nlk8AANyr38
ReplyDeleteOT: Interesting situation in Croatian cup SF, pk given after OFR for handball. Ref: Patrik Kolaric (VAR: Igor Pajac)
ReplyDeletehttps://streamable.com/zmr8fh
IMO, 100% penalty.
ReplyDeleteMore and more defenders behave like goalkeepers and must therefore accept the possible consequences of their sliding actions.
https://twitter.com/ChrisKaiserD10S/status/1646511154880188419
ReplyDeleteThis is Italy... even the journalists... Rosetti was very disappointed by such words, looking at his face, especially "scemo" which means "fool" but in a very insultive way
Please chefren show me I don't understand
ReplyDeleteBetter not to show. Some "journalists" saying poor words to Kovacs after the game when he walked out from the dressing room with Rosetti to leave the stadium. SSC Napoli condemned the incident.
DeletePredictions second legs, according to observers:
Napoli - Milan Marcinaik (Gonzalez Vazquez)
Inter - Benfica Vincic (Plautz)
Bayern - City Makkelie (Rizzoli)
Chelsea - Real Madrid Orsato (Skjervold)
Really Vincic after the last round. Would Gözübüyük not be a better choice?
DeleteTaylor saved for the ucl final if Chelsea and man city eliminated
DeleteAbout observers names such as dr Markus merk and kim milton and mejuto Gonzalez where ?
ReplyDelete