2023-24 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, second legs. Second set of referee assignments.
6 March 2024
21:00 CET - Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) - RB Leipzig (GER) Referee: Davide Massa ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio ITA
Fourth Official: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Filippo Meli ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Stefano Alassio ITA
Fourth Official: Marco Di Bello ITA
Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Paolo Valeri ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers NED
UEFA Delegate: Chrisitan Kofoed DEN
UEFA Referee Observer: Björn Kuipers NED
UEFA Delegate: Chrisitan Kofoed DEN
Manchester City FC (ENG) - FC København (DEN)
Referee: Espen Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Isaak Elias Bashevkin NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Anders Olav Dale NOR
Fourth Official: Rohit Saggi NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
UEFA Referee Observer: William Young SCO
UEFA Delegate: Mauro Tonolini ITA
UEFA Referee Observer: William Young SCO
UEFA Delegate: Mauro Tonolini ITA
Huge game for Massa! I know he made contentious and controversial decisions recently in Serie a but I think Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig could be his biggest challenge ever.
ReplyDeleteI think, UEFA continues to underestimate this pairing. I have written that before, but Leipzig is on place 7 in the UEFA coefficients, so on paper this is the clear top clash of the round. And the first leg showed, that it is a tight match - and one that can raise controversies...
DeleteSo I would have preferred a big name there for the second leg, e.g. Taylor.
But of course once Kuipers was appointed, it was clear, there would be someone less experienced - and then Massa is as sensible as e.g. Kruzliak or Meler.
All as expected with Italian Elite referee, despite of Guida assignment, here Massa with a very important one and with Kuipers on the road to Euro. Expected. Now the situation for Orsato becomes particular, because after two different Italian assignments in Round of 16 it's very hard to expect a third Italian soon, I think not earler than quarterfinal. My feeling about Orsato, and it seems confirmed, is tha he is just "surviving" waiting for EURO, without caring at all about the rest, this is also in serie A! And TBH I don't know how much this attitude can directly allow him to officiate that big final... but we will see the next steps. As it was for Kuipers at EURO 2020, one could say that he already showed everything to get a big game and committee can only wait for that.
ReplyDeleteEskås in the other game very good choice, but maybe he couldn't have been expected so early after his previous Conference League assignment!
Chefren, any chance they give the Champions League final to Orsato for 2nd time?
DeleteVinčić his foul detection is abominable, Makkelie not in top form, Taylor won't referee Italian or English teams.
No, impossibile. There should be another name, we will not see a referee with the second CL final. The motivations you have mentioned for the three referees are not fully valid, all can be considered as candidates right now
DeleteWhy can Taylor not referee Italian teams?
DeleteSince his final last season in the Europa League just because Roma lost, Mourinho blames the referee.
DeleteAnthony Taylor isn’t in particularly good form either to be honest.
Makkelie not in top form? Quite the opposite IMO; he's having a very good season, showcasing a masterclass in officiating during the Newcastle vs. Milan match. Furthermore, it's worth noting he officiated four UEFA Champions League group stage matches, surpassing the three matches officiated by most of his colleagues.
DeleteIt's quite clear that we have 5 candidates to UCL Final.
Delete1. Vincic 50%: Three GS games: Lazio-At. Madrid, PSG-Milan, Napoli-Braga, and now a big R16 Bayern Munchen-Lazio. He's got all Italian sides, except for Inter, that is also the italian team who most likely can reach the Final. Now he will get Lazio again, few days before the Lazio-Milan incidents by Di Bello.
I think Committee trusts him over all other "not-already-finalist" referees. He is the only one who can stop himself :)
2. Makkelie 25%: Four GS games (Inter-Benfica, Napoli-Union Berlin, Young Boys-Red Star. Newcastle-Milan). I expect him to get a big R16 game in next days, probably the most hard one (return leg ATM-INT). I feel bad for him, he miss so many chances to get the Final, in 2022 due to politics and in 2023 because of a unlucky UEL semi-final. He's like Zlatan Ibrahimovic: can you believe he never won Champions League? :)
Still, he's a big, trusted name, he had no problems in any european game he officiated this season. Sure my first name in case of Vincic self-destruction.
3. Kovacs 15%: Four GS games (Newcastle-PSG, Arsenal-Sevilla, Milan-BVB, Porto-Shakthar), then he got R16 first leg Inter Atletico Madrid, in which he performed very well. He is relatively "young" as a Elite ref, but he already got a UCL SF and Conference League first final. He could be a surprise, but I think he could get UEL final this year.
4. Oliver 9%: Just two GS games (Real Sociedad-Inter and Braga-Real Madrid) and now in charge of Real Sociedad-PSG. I don't know why he did not get a third game in GS, imo he's a top class referee and he is performing better than Taylor.
I don't really think he can reach UCL this year, and he has nationalitly barriers, but he's still a strong candidate for UECL with Nyberg.
5. Taylor 1%: Three GS games (Porto-Barcelona, Real Sociedad-Benfica, Feyenoord-Atletico Madrid). He was in big discussions in Italy after UEL Final Roma-Sevilla last year.
I can't really think a Final appointment this year, not only because of nationality limits. I have to include him just because he's last UEL finalist.
@aa
Delete50% Vincic? You must be on his payroll?
If Vincic gets the UCL ahead of Makkelie, I would advise the Dutch to quit refereeing. It’s the worst thing UEFA can do from a “HR perspective”. Makkelie has been a CL-final candidate since 2021, Vincic only since last season. Additionally, Makkelie is indeed the most unlucky referee around. Always trusted (or even sacrificed) by Rosetti in the most heated, sensitive games. Recently Newcastle-Milan for example, this was a game under the highest, after a lot of controversy after Marciniak gave that handball penalty. Both teams had to win.
Vincic has time. He was at the FIFA course last winter, so he will continue until 2026.
@Unknown 14.08
DeleteI read on this blog about a Slavko Vincic Army, I'm not from them and no, I'm not on his payroll... unfortunately :)) Just my opinion as a non professional referee.
I agree with your vision on Makkelie, I wrote I feel bad for him for the past seasons. But I do think the Slovenian is more trusted than the Dutch right now, because DM can potentially miss some incident in big games (e.g. Juventus Sevilla UEL SF). If it was me I would assign UCL Final to Makkelie, especially for his players management skills.
Of course Vincic had some bad games last year as well, but not in the final rounds, that's because I think probability are better for him.
If Vincic make some mistake in Munchen I'm ready to change my opinion :)
Which incident in Seville-Juventus are you referring to exactly? The possible penalty for Sevilla? I noticed that in the APP there was an offside before that incident (surprised it wasn’t noticed here). But that offside was missed by Makkelie's VAR and AR. And Makkelie was obviously carrying an injury (no pace, gained weight, almost like he was running on eggs) – that is why he missed the QF and was poor at Chelsea, so I’m sure he was never in consideration for the finals last year. And his team has let him down many times.
DeleteVincic wasn't great in the final rounds as well. He was dreadful in City vs Leipzig. In Leverkusen-Roma he missed a crystal clear DOGSO. He is a referee who just lets go everything, to stay away from the spotlights at all costs. A steady referee (top 10), with good ARs and decent appointments, but not a sparkling personality. He would have a lot of problems in sth like Atletico-Inter. Whereas a referee like Marciniak or Makkelie can actually look good. Vincic’ foul detection can be off, but luckily this season he didn’t have KMI’s in his games, so nobody is talking about him. And always a favorable scoreline with the home team scoring an early goal (yesterday in Bayern, in Napels, the play-off at Young Boys). I know a referee can only officiate what is in front of him, true. But the Refcom will consider the difficulty of games as well. Makkelie should earned some credits after Newcastle-Milan, a very tight and tensed game in the group of death. However, politics and luck can indeed get Vincic’ ass into the final, especially when Makkelie (or his team) will make mistakes again.
So we still have Makkelie, Marciniak, Orsato, Taylor and Turpin available for the last 4 games. Those are all tight, therefore probably little chances for other referees (e.g. Kruzliak, Soares Dias, Nyberg) to slot in.
ReplyDeleteMaybe indeed Orsato is rested in this round. Would be no problem to use him directly in QF and maybe SF. Of course, the same could be said about the other 4 remaining big names.
The VAR-duo in Eskås’ game could indicate that we see Makkelie on Thursday. They just have to switch Higler and Dieperink in that case.
DeleteTurpin and Marciniak are sure bets for me in Madrid and Barcelona.
Wonder if both Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver will go too euro's. 🤔
ReplyDeleteOnly 2 countries that already 99% send 2 group of team one, England and France. Maybe after this appointment Italy will likely send 2 team one.
DeleteSpain and Netherlands might send two teams as well
DeleteFor me 100% , 2 teams France, England, Netherlands, Spain (but 1 go to Connebol) and if Massa do it good (final check by Kuipers), 2 Italian
DeleteIt will be either Pinheiro or Mariani at CONMEBOL if rumours are correct
DeleteInteresting to have a Norwegian referee for a Danish team. I know, those inter-Scandinavian appointments do happen more often nowadays, but it probably hasn't happened in a long time on this level.
ReplyDeleteEskas is so far the only referee that has already been appointed in KO stage before. Question is, was that a test with Undiano Mallenco in UECL or the double appointment was planned?
ReplyDeleteThe delegate in Manchester is himself former long serving FIFA AR
ReplyDeleteI still think we will see Taylor next week in Dortmund
ReplyDeleteLiverpool FC (First Team) v Manchester City FC (First Team)
ReplyDeletePremier League
Referee: Oliver, Michael
Assistant Referee: Burt, Stuart
Assistant Referee: Cook, Dan
Fourth Official: Coote, David
Video Assistant Referee: Attwell, Stuart
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Hopton, Nick
Michael Oliver appointed for the huge 1st vs 2nd clash on Sunday Between Liverpool and Man City. Stuart Attwell on VAR duties for the third Liverpool game in a row.
Anthony Taylor has Bournemouth vs Sheffield United on Saturday at 3pm, possible UCL appointment midweek?
Paul Tierney just has VAR duties on Arsenal vs Brentford after last weeks controversy.
Sunny Singh Gill Makes his Premier league debut, and another game midweek for Sam Allison.
Makkelie appointed on Friday for the dutch league so i expect him in the CL next week
ReplyDeleteWhat about Taylor and Turpin and Orsato in domestic leagues next week?
ReplyDeleteThe situation around Nyberg is quite interesting. After his group stage appointments one could expect a CL R16 game, especially before Guida and Eskas.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Norwegian's appointment shows that the Conference League last round is not an obstacle for getting CL.
But the remaining four games don't look too suitable. He had Dortmund on MD6 and the other games are quite big for a KO stage debut. Plus, many big names still available and the observers don't really point towards him.
So maybe the solution is a direct CL QF first leg, i.e. the Letexier handling of last year. Maybe with a EL R16 2nd leg before that.
Yes good point. If Nyberg is appointed in UCL R16, I’m assuming he will be in Dortmund, as the observer in Dortmund (Plautz) is a more significant one than the observers in Madrid-Barcelona-London I’d say.
DeleteI have the feeling we see a relatively new approach by UEFA to keep a lot of big names out of R16. If we see the appointments of the second legs so far the only relatively expected name is Vincic. All others are rather trusted then top elite. Combining that with the first leg choices of the remaining games I´d predict
DeleteArsenal-Porto: Kruzliak
Barcelona-Neapel: Nyberg
Atletico-Inter: Makkelie
Dortmund-PSV: Soares Dias
IMO Nyberg had an insane GS, only judged by appointments and is rather seen as a Top 8 Elite then a knock-out debutant. And I cant see Taylor in CL next week with only Dortmund an option and Oliver appointed this week.
So UEFA would leave Orsato, Marciniak, Turpin and Taylor for QF. The first two expected in EL 2nd legs.
@Stockholm: Rosetti is very careful with Italian teams. Just a handful names are appointed to the Italian teams - in particular the returns. Normally, the names will be Marciniak, Makkelie and Turpin. The observer names confirm that IMO:
Delete- Arsenal-Porto: Svilokos (CRO)
- Barcelona-Napoli: Tritsonis (GRE)
- Atletico-Inter: Barry (ENG)
- Dortmund-PSV: Plautz (AUT)
For me, the odd one out here is Plautz. A more significant name than in the other matches. Makes we wonder whether the Refcom underestimates BVB-PSV, since they already underestimated Real-Leipzig.
Four games in CL left and still quite a lot names available: Orsato, Turpin, Soares Dias, Taylor, Kruzliak, Makkelie, Marciniak, Nyberg. I'm ignoring Gil Manzano for a moment.
I initially expected that Makkelie would go straight to the QF when Gozubuyuk was assigned to a R16 game. Now, Makkelie has a domestic game on Friday, which normally indicates a Tuesday match. Could be in Barcelona (or a reserve spot of course). Atletico-Inter is screaming Marciniak. No explanation needed :)
The observer in London should indicate a very experienced name as well –and that’s sensible given Porto's lead and style of playing. I'm still leaning towards Turpin or Orsato here. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 3rd Italian. Orsato is in ‘survive’ mode according to Chefren, but still he has done 4 games in GS. If we make a comparison with Kuipers in his last year: he did R16-R16-QF-SF. Wasn’t saved at all. So, perhaps Orsato is saved domestically, but we can still expect him to show up in Champions league games. To add, if Italian teams go far in CL, he isn’t available for a semi-final (again).
Regarding Plautz in Dortmund. This appointment was released quite late. I’m curious what that means. I’d like to see Nyberg, but doesn't he often work with a German or Dutch VAR? Anthony Taylor is possible as well because of his Saturday game. However, Dortmund did have bad experiences with Atwell in the past... Finally, I also think Turpin is a sound name here. Unless the refcom wasn't happy with his performance in Budapest. But Turpin is never ignored, with his strong political background, he always gets his CL-matches regardless of form. Letexier is in form and according to some, already challenging Turpin for the French #1 - although Letexier always gets 1st legs so far - so I don’t think Turpin’s position is in danger, but still he has to respond. At a later stage (QF-SF), the Refcom might have to choose between them. Turpin’s lenient and background-minded style will suit these teams very well (remember he did Rangers vs. PSV).
Soares Dias could be another name in Dortmund (he’s almost never with Italian teams). Not many Portuguese referee teams so far in UEFA competitions. I seriously consider him as well. And btw, Kruzliak also deserves a CL match after a good UEL game, if the Refcom works on a meritocracy-based principle.
Orsato has been appointed for a Serie A match on friday evening. Most probably it means a CL assignment next week
ReplyDeleteOff topic: is there the possibility to add the option "Edit Comment" for who publishes a post, like happen on whatsapp ? Sometime a typo mistake requires to delete the whole message and to re-type it. With "edit" command, the author can correct the mistake without typing form the begin
ReplyDeleteNot possible to edit a message here!
DeleteYou dont have to type everything again if you copy the text.
DeleteNext week's UCL predictions:
ReplyDeleteArsenal - Porto: Daniele Orsato
Barcelona - Napoli: Danny Makkelie
Atletico - Inter: Szymon Marciniak
Dortmund - PSV: Ivan Kruzliak
I have the exact same ideas.
DeleteGame in Madrid is normally the most heated/sacrificial one. Good to have the Polish there.
In Barcelona, I was torn between Turpin or Makkelie, but the French has a game on Sunday.
Orsato has to referee. He always gets his international games. And Rosetti would not mind it to appoint all three Italians… The Friday game and observer are pointing in his direction. Is he needed there? Not really.
Kruzliak deserves a UCL game. Another name would be Nyberg, Soares Dias or even Turpin. That one is more difficult to predict.
Would be strange if big names like Turpin and Taylor are kept out though. Perhaps, the top Elites without a UCL assignment will get a play-off final?
Orsato has a game on Friday indeed, Napoli - Torino, it seems done on purpose for officiating in CL at the beginning of the next week. His assistant referees are on Saturday in another serie A game with a different referee. I think we can expect him this time. Arsenal only possible game.
DeleteI am wondering, whether it is really a fact, that Taylor can't do Italian teams or just an assumption based on only 4 appointments (CL incl. PO) so far.
DeleteI don't think there is any public statement or even demand for that. And of course, it would be not logical, that he can't referee e.g. Napoli, just because Roma was (without good justification...) unhappy with him 9 months ago.
Furthermore Orsato in Dortmund seems like a valid option to me. The game is as tight and open as the others and there was some controversy in the first leg.
Therefore my prediction is
Arsenal - Porto: Marciniak (Kwiatkowski)
Barcelona - Napoli: Taylor (Attwell)
Atletico - Inter: Turpin (Delajod)
Dortmund - PSV: Orsato (Irrati)
(with direct QFs for Makkelie and Nyberg)
Villareal - Marseille: Zwayer (Dankert)
Rangers - Benfica: Nyberg (Hernandez)
West Ham - Freiburg: Guida (Valeri)
Slavia - Milan: Jovanovic (Kajtazovic)
Liverpool - Sparta: Kovacs (Fritz)
Brighton - Roma: Soares Dias (Martins)
Atalanta - Sporting: Makkelie (Dieperink)
Leverkusen - Qarabag: Kruzliak (Higler)
Plzen - Servette: Lambrechts (van Boekel)
Fenerbahce - Saint-Gilloise: Mariani (di Paolo)
PAOK - Dinamo: Grinfeeld (Reinshreiber)
Fiorentina - Haifa: Collum (Coote)
Aston Villa - Ajax: Obrenovic (Brisard)
Brugge - Molde: Strukan (Bebek)
Lille - Graz: Jug (Borosak)
Tel Aviv - Olympiakos: Gil Manzano (Martinez)
Philipp, we know too much committee for having doubts about that! Given how Italian press reacts to every Taylor news, even when not related to Italian football, I can ensure you 100% that they are avoiding this assignment, and before that, even for the personal safety of the English referee. The fact that he could handle another team and not Roma doesn't change situation, because the reactions would be the same, he wouldn't be comfortable, to say it kindly... and of course I'm really sorry about that.
DeleteFor sure in case of either English or Italian team in CL final, he will be out and that's really sad for him, because the chances for getting that assignment are decreased for him without direct responsibilities but only for opportunity.
Then, about Dortmund - PSV, it is clear to me how committee treats German teams, in a very different way than others, you can see, the most ranked team from the country, Bayern, got even very particular assignments like Nobre in group stage. There is a feeling that committee thinks German people accept everything, somebody was writing about this topic a few time ago on the blog. I think he was right. So, even less Dortmund - PSV, not a real big game, but yes, let's wait for the assignment, and maybe Rosetti will show me that I'm wrong! (surely not on Taylor, BTW) ;)
I might be totally wrong but I also have another idea for how the appointments could be made this time.
DeleteWhen the drawing was ready, the first reaction was from experts and public that there is not so many big clashes in this round. And so far seems like it was treated like that by committee, so I could imagine that some big names simply reserved for quarterfinals, where we can expect really big clashes and some referees can be simply tested in this round. (We have already there Bayern Munich and PSG and today Manchester City and probably Real Madrid will join.)
But agree probably Orsato will get a game and based on Taylor's weekend appointment with his regular ARs in a low-profile game in PL (Bournemouth-Sheffield United), looks like the same treatment as Oliver last week having Luton-Aston Villa and then CL game.
So indeed Barcelona-Napoli can be Taylor's game and Arsenal-Porto can be for Orsato.
Atletico-Inter can be Nyberg and I can also see in Dortmund-PSV Kruzliak or Soares Dias.
And then you saved some really big names for quarterfinals such as Marciniak, Makkelie and Turpin.
Might be wrong theory but we have to expect basically 4 very strong games for QFs and committee knows that.
Taylor's appointment to Bournemouth vs Sheffield United suggests an appointment yes. However, him and Oliver always use their normal ARs in league games anyway.
DeleteI suspect Taylor in Germany
@Theref thats the main idea I had Monday. Just keeping a lot of big names out.
DeleteAlso dont forget that Soares Dias could handle an italian clash. He is never really talked about and his appointments are rather dubious. But he got a semi-final last year and had a lot of commitee observation.
Massa with a mediocre foul detection in the first half. The only YC was a correct mandatory. The game is very easy and forgiving so far.
ReplyDeleteGonna be interesting if Massa can up his game if Leipzig equalize
That should be at least 2 YCs for Vinicius, right?
ReplyDeleteI agree ...
DeleteIf we watch that strictly,yes.
DeleteBut,you have to be very brave to do that as ref,someone like Taylor would not hesitate there.
Well the lack of a simple 'trailing eye' on the Vini-Orban duel was much below mediocre, one could be disappointed at that miss in a semi-professional match! The hit out could easily be considered a VC in a different setting too. Massa is having a bit of a nightmare tbh and now begins to lose control over the game.
DeleteNow Vini scores and antimadrid fans will have their question and that is:
DeleteWhy was Vini even on the field?
Shaky performance by Davide Massa, the same style as he operated on the playoff in Haifa. His performance was though, still, above the ‘dotted line’ and I fully expect to see him in the EURO squad this summer.
DeleteDid vini deserve red card here at least 2 Yc
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/62d36d
For me, 2 YC, not RC for VC.
DeleteIt's in Massa's back, and it's Real, so most obviously the correct decision is not one that he would take even if 4O had observed the whole scene.
Two YCs for me as well, it should have been the optimal solution for this situation. RC would have been a mistake for me, as it doesn't really meet the criteria for VC (regardless of my personal opinion on that). Therefore, there seems to be no room for VAR intervention in this particular case.
DeleteHaving said that, I do think that Massa should have followed this particular duel more closely. I have a certain feeling tensions were rising a bit between Vinicius and Orban up to that point, and it would have been beneficial if someone on the referee team kept an eye on them, just in case. Of course, this can all be considered an exaggeration on my part, it is always difficult to follow everything and everyone on and off the FoP, but Massa's performance was a bit suboptimal in this aspect. However, generally, it was still a decent performance, but nothing more than that IMO.
Decent performance by Massa today:
ReplyDelete- The incident involving Vinícius: a straight red card would have been a mistake. The optimal solution would've been, indeed, double YC - one for reckless late challenge and one for unsporting behaviour (push).
- Leipzig's penalty appeal in 41' was rightly waved away. RMA player ran into his opponent off-the-ball with no real impact on the action.
- All cards issued were mandatory, no doubt about them. However, some suboptimal choices: no YC to Kroos after the tackle detected, most likely, by 4OF (58'), rather wrong play-on call on Vinícius and therefore missed YC to Haidara for SPA (64'), no YC to Baumgartner for reckless challenge (86').
- Good prevention of potential time wasting by Real Madrid by being close at their goal-kicks and good warning to Tchouaméni (31') after dissenting gestures.
- Several phantom free kicks awarded were a little annoying but nothing major.
I'm a lot less positive. For me, Vinicius' situation was misjudged (2x yellow mandatory) and this incident has a major influence on the result. In addition, this is a level in which suboptimal choices + phantom free kicks should not or hardly occur.
DeleteIn addition, my personal annoyance is when referees immediately (of almost) blow the whistle after the end of the added time, while in these (and many other) cases time was wasted several times during injury time.
Leave it to Drew Fischer (CAN) and Tori Penso (USA) to ruin a semi-final. Clear and obvious? Really?
ReplyDeleteDitch VAR! Give us our game back.
I would also save Turpin, Orsato, Makkelie and Taylor for the QF.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your ideas for the play-offs? IMO some of the semi’s could be tougher to handle than the potential final. For example the BIH-UKR and GRE-KAZ semi’s
Probably more or less (9 of) the current top 10 referees will be used as obviously all the games are quite important. So I don't expect any "final test for the EURO" stuff. Giving finals to Marciniak and Orsato would be logical.
DeleteBut for more precise predictions, I would wait for next week's appointments, because the status of some referees is not so clear.
E.g. if Soares Dias gets CL next week, he is also a good candidate for the play-offs. If not, that is more doubtful.
Barcelona x Napoli Soares Dias
Delete