2023-24 UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals, referee appointments for Tuesday's First Legs.
9 April 2024
21:00 CET - London (Arsenal Stadium)
Arsenal FC (ENG) - FC Bayern München (GER)Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderqvist SWE
Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderqvist SWE
Fourth Official: Adam Ladebäck SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Pol van Boekel NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Paolo Rondelli SMR
UEFA Referee Observer: Carlos Velasco Carballo ESP
UEFA Delegate: Paolo Rondelli SMR
Real Madrid CF (ESP) - Manchester City FC (ENG)
Referee: François Letexier FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Pierre Gaillouste FRA
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier FRA
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA
Fourth Official: Pierre Gaillouste FRA
Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Willy Delajod FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO
UEFA Delegate: Jovan Šurbatovic SRB
UEFA Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO
UEFA Delegate: Jovan Šurbatovic SRB
Makkelie in second leg for RMA-MCI maybe?
ReplyDeleteOr BayM-Arsenal?
DeleteWhat a difference a year makes for Francois Letexier! After a 'dubious' group stage, 12months ago the Frenchman replaced a rejected Jovanovic (I didn't get info to that ends but it should be obvious right?) to referee R.Madrid-Chelsea and did a very solid job, confidently issuing two cautions in the first ten minutes in order to assure his control of the game. Fast-forward to 2024 and Letexier has gone from 'strength to strength' after that game at the Bernabeu, and will return there to deservedly take charge of the QF's most marquee tie this time round (okay 'first legs' heading, but still). Having been critical of the 2023 assignment back then, I'm more than happy to say that I was completely wrong!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an expected and well-predicted assignment for Nyberg too in London.
Chefren, list of referees Euro u17 and u19?
ReplyDeleteAnd like it happened one year ago with Letexier in Real Madrid - Chelsea, now it will be Nyberg's turn to make a CL KO Stage debut in a quarterfinal game and not in the previous round. Before Rosetti times, this was very rare to see, almost never happened, I would say. Round of 16 games were definitely enough to find room for a referee at his first game in this stage, while now it's different. A mix of more flexibility by committee and excellent performance by referees. The Swedish will officiate a typical English-German clash and we know what this means under the eyes of committee. Totally different from games involving Spanish, Italian and Portuguese teams. These games are believed to be easier on paper, for the background of teams involved. The style of the Swedish should suit very well, but my wish is that he can develop and understand that there will be extremely challenging games in his career, especially involving some teams. The recent displays by him have been a bit below expectations, I think mostly for this reason.
ReplyDeleteAlso, with this appointment Nyberg gives a strong signal on the road to EURO 2024, this was rather expected as said, but impossible to talk before :)
@Holly I don't have the names for such tournaments, otherwise I would publish them. We will see.
Very entertaining Glasgow Derby between Rangers and Celtic. Ref - John Beaton. VAR - Nick Walsh.
ReplyDelete3 OFRs, 2 penalties, 1 goal disallowed for a foul in the APP. 1st penalty handball. 2nd penalty was more continuous, given on field as simulation and changed to a penalty.
Penalty for handball after VAR intervention:
Deletehttps://streambug.org/cv/95478f
Simulation changed into penalty after VAR intervention:
https://streambug.org/cv/55329d
Disallowed goal after VAR intervention:
https://streambug.org/cv/e9a45d
It looks not the best performance by Beaton. I think the foul then analyzed in the last OFR should have been whistled live. One can understand more the missed penalty for handball (always difficult to spot) and the called simulation (not easy to make the assessment). Nevertheless, three OFR are always too much in all cases.
Basically, one could talk about a very particular use of VAR, in the meaning that the debate for the intervention regarding the third case could be open: here in Italy we saw some similar incidents called in the early ages of VAR, but now the trend is to avoid to make an OFR for such incidents, even more if referee is close and he can make a judgement. Of course this must be very rare to happen.
The handball is particular, basically you punish the elbow despite of a "closed" position of the arm, and that's correct because body's volume is clearly increased, still not natural position, but definitely not common to see a penalty for such kind of hanball.
The simulation decision is interesting as well: I think the very last replay, after the end of OFR, explains everything, clear contact by defender, and this is to blatant too be ignored, even if player was not in full balance, before, this was a clearly careless action, but if you remove this particular, for the rest of the challenge, you can perceive a kind of simulation by attacker, and indeed I think this was the reason of the original callby Scottish referee.
I can imagine that after so many crucial incidents people are discussing a lot about VAR in Scotland, aren't they?
Also, not the best gesture by Beaton after third OFR, he indicated the position of the foul, but it looked like he had allowed the goal (same gesture, pointing to midfield). This is a very frequent mistake, referee should be always aware what people can think, indeed the coach didn't understand and he asked fourth official about the final decision.
Going to the exact point of the foul and indicating the ground with then the direction of the free kick is the solution here.
Interestingly, the handball decision has been totally accepted, as has the foul before the goal despite the length of time before the goal was scored. The simulation call has had the most controversial reaction, but has maybe been more accepted today.
DeleteThere has certainly been a fair bit of controversy in general though and there have been several instances of referees sticking with their own decisions following OFRs recently.
Anthony Taylor with a phantom penalty call today in Man United vs Liverpool. Absolutely no contact. VAR asleep as usual.
ReplyDeleteNo contact?! Look at the trailing leg.
Deletehttps://dubz.co/v/36aaza
DeleteCall to be supported by VAR, but very soft penalty, referee can't spot that live. Attacker already falling by himself and not significant contact. Tricky situation that it's better not to happen.
I thought Taylor was good overall. He's very good at letting the game flow when possible, which is why we see him so often in these types of PL games.
DeleteI wouldn't say the penalty was 'phantom', in real time it looked like a certain penalty. When slowed down, it was very soft as the attacker runs into the defenders leg and falls, very hard for Taylor to see that live. Expected that VAR supports this call, even if soft.
However, I'd be interested to know peoples thoughts on Casemiro tackle, minute 90 +6. He left the ground, studs showing, in my opinion SFP and RC. Lucky to stay on the pitch for me.
Everyone seems to be overlooking the shin on foot contact that causes the attacker to go down (you can even see the attacker's foot recoil if you slow it right down), the nature of the challenge and the clear double contact make this a definite penalty imo.
DeleteNothing new, but quite inexperienced 4th officials in both games (no EL and 1 ECL each).
ReplyDeleteI wonder, why they don't use Al-Hakim or Ekberg and Bastien or Frappart in those big games.
I had some free time to watch the end of one 'invited referee' clash and chose Fesnic over Stieler (and Stavrev); immediately after I tuned in, the Romanian ref bottled, and one must say that is a fair description, a SYC for a Rijeka player, already cautioned no.26 for a SPA/reckless hack at a Hajduk Split no.23; clip below:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.streambug.io/cv/82f3bb
I'm also curious about Stieler's performance, seeing that 12 YCs were issued by him.
Very clear second YC due to the force used in the challenge.
DeletePersonally I didnt like how Fesnic performed, there was quite some inconsistency in foul detection, usually in favour of defending team. Few imo wrong/non-existent fouls on defenders, and some very strong tackles by the defenders completely ignored. In addition few wrong throw ins and goal kick/corner decisions. Also no connection with the players from what we have seen.
DeleteNot the worst performance, but with a room for improvement definitely.
Some pieces of information by Roberto Rosetti during his presentation at the EURO coaches' workshop in Düsseldorf:
ReplyDelete- According to the European Football Union (UEFA), the VARs who will be stationed in Leipzig have been given clear instructions to exercise restraint. They should only report if there is "proof of a clear and obvious error".
- "We want referees with strong personalities to make decisions on the pitch"
- UEFA is planning to have 18 referee teams plus two substitutes at the EURO. The referees will be announced at the end of April.
- While the video referees will live and work in Leipzig, the camp for the referee teams will be in Frankfurt/Main. Before the tournament, there will be another workshop for the referees from May 13 to 16.
- "Unacceptable coach behavior is a problem for the referees. The players follow you, and when you are calm, the players are calmer"
- "We want to avoid unnecessary cards and protect the image of the game, so we will take a strong stance against bullying and clear differences of opinion"
- Before the tournament, all teams should be informed about the guidelines by a referee expert from the association or - if possible - by a EURO referee.
- "We want to avoid unnecessary cards and protect the image of the game, so we will take a strong stance against bullying and clear differences of opinion"
DeleteWow.
Well, it's good if they are instructed to show YCs for mobbing, but that shouldn't come at the expense of ignoring clear YCs for challenges (which I unfortunately expect). If I had to choose, I'd rather "punish the physical and manage the technical" than the other way round.
DeleteSorry I don't understand the connection between "we want to avoid unnecessary cards" and " we want to protect the image of the game"... if you make the second statement, you shouldn't say the first thing before. Not in the exclusive meaning that unnecessary cards shouldn't be given (and this would be correct statement if you take it alone), but if you decide to be strict with players behaviors, you should also consider you will give some cards that can be seen as unnecessary in different context. Hopefully I was clear... at thee end too many words, but then always the same reality. Let's hope this time it will be different.
DeleteYes, that sentence is quite strange - and the same in German, so nothing lost in translation...
DeleteMaybe he means that there will be a focus pre-tournament to warn the coaches and players regarding dissent, so that at the tournament itself less cards are needed?
But I think, the biggest news is the confirmation of 18 referee teams (as expected) + (only) 2 support referees.
Thank you co much Philipp for such logistic information that sometimes are missed. So 18 referees (including most probably one for Comnebol) and ONLY (!!!!!!!!) 2 support referees as IV official. That's crazy; it could be an opportunity for some young referees to develop
DeleteBravo Letexier for early YC
ReplyDeleteSeven minutes played in Madrid: Very challenging match for Letexier from the first minute.
ReplyDeleteIt can be a challenging game for Letexier, after the goal scored by City.
ReplyDeleteVery good early yellow card against home team, indeed.
If Letexier manages to keep consistency, this match can be spectacular. It’s very risky to continue with so many play-on, but if he manages to get respected by the players, we will enjoy it :)
ReplyDeleteEsse confronto entre Ruben Dias e Bellingham é para Letexier tomar cuidado pra não perder controle do jogo.
ReplyDeleteAkanji e Rodrigo, outro confronto que Letexier precisa estar alerta. A acomodação na parte disciplinar pode ser um fator decisivo ao longo da partida.
ReplyDeleteLetexier with a brilliant half. The game is hot, but not as hot as the first 10 minutes made me believe. What I notice about Letexier is that he seems to have always a very clear perception. His signals while talking to players, equal the TV images incredibly. And he looks ready for anything to happen at any point.
ReplyDeleteVery good Letexier so far in a not so easy game. Very good caution in the beginning and very good foul recognition in general, allowing the game to have free flow as much as he can. Also we rarely mention, but what a great fitness ability he has.
ReplyDeleteSmall sidenote: It's incredible that how talented players Real Madrid have and how terrible all those worldclass, creative, attacking players can behave (Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius). Overreacting every contact and keep putting pressure on the referees. Throwing arms in the air all the time if they not get every soft decision.
PK given by Nyberg in ARSBAY, careless tripping
ReplyDeletehttps://dubz.co/v/743sfd
Great refereeing in the first half. Example of modern refereeing based on excellent positional play. His forward, sideways and backward movement and position selection continuously puts him in optimal position. He is constantly on the move and proactively reads the game. ( Great Forward looking Management and avoids hindering the game/players). I see far too many referees at this level who stand still too often and have a bad positional game with all the consequences that entails.
ReplyDeleteLooked like a clear penalty before final whislte in London?
ReplyDeleteSaka put his leg into Neuer, not a natural fall. Supportable definitely
DeleteNo, it’s a brilliant decision by Nyberg! Saka left his leg out and initiated the contact.
DeleteAgree completely with Oliver's Argument Here
DeleteI didn't watch any replay so I trust you. In case excellent decision by Swedish referee!
DeletePotentially a very excellent onfield decision. Very hard to initially spot it was Saka's foot into Neuer, very easy to give a penalty. I'd need to see the replay again but it looked spot on from Nyberg
DeleteI agree with the replies above. Saka clearly initiates the contact and kicks Neuer, correct no-PK.
DeleteVery difficult... Both players kinda extend their leg towards each other. I've looked at the replay multiple times now and Neuers leg is out there a little earlier and Saka slightly flies into Neuers leg with his right leg. It looks more like he's searching this contact. So I would support the on field decision.
Deletehttps://dubz.co/v/h77axm
ReplyDeleteCorrect, attacker made everything by himself.
Excellent decision by Nyberg.
So we have two very open ties, aftre a draw in both games we will have very crucial second legs.
The very positive news for committee is that they can be definitely proud of this new generation of Elite referees, in particular Letexier, but Nyberg as well. They seem ready to officiate all big games and they are not afraid of taking decisions.
Themark can be high for both today: I think Letexer calmed down or at least he was not influenced by Real Madrid players, especially in first half. When Manchester City scored at the beginning, looking the game with refereeing eyes, you could have noticed how challenging the context can be in that stadium and with that players (reported by other comments as well), like they would like to control everything.
The referee was not afraid of them and he continued his work. Very well done.
About Nyberg, I noticed how much he looks elegant in some gestures while following the game and communicating with players.
You are a brilliant observer Chefren , I am pleased that you appreciated Nyberg
DeleteSpot on. Very mature, modern and real Elite referee performances. Letexier was also brilliant in Lazio-Bayern in the previous round.
DeleteI want to praise the French to find also to best moment to caution for dissent Carvajal. He has really the sense and feel to find the right moments for giving cards. Not hesitating in 1st minute, found the right moment to give the first card for City, while the whole stadium demanded much earlier. And had the right tolerance level for dissent and as soon as someone really went over the line, he issued the YC.
I don't think it's impossible to see him in CL semifinal actually, but if not CL, then for sure at least an EL semifinal should follow this performance.
(And when I saw the Olympics selection, I think as he is such a strong name and he is from the host nation I think he is a candidate for the final there)
Must say I agree with you Chefren. Two top modern elite referees with a bright future. An excellent Letexier today (looked extremely certain of his decisions) and took smart decisions like usual, let the game flow but still controlled it which is very difficult to do. Also a very good performance by Nyberg, excellent communication skills like usual and a very good last second decision to end the day. Two strong performances today.
DeleteIt is officially settled. These Real Madrid - Manchester City games are the pinnacle of football as we know it. I don't think that the level can be raised anywhere higher.
ReplyDeleteStill, these games are not the easiest to officiate in. The referees must be extremely well prepared and gain the respect of the players and sometimes of the benches too. The rhytm is very fast and the referee must cover a significant part of the pitch, running a lot. Furthermore, there are players with a ... big personality, let's say, that you have to keep football focused.
This being said, I liked Letexier tonight. On the positive side, excellent players management and when he showed the YCs. It is important to not be afraid to show the cards but also keep a balance and not to over-rely on them. Letexier fully managed to do this. On the negative side, there were a couple of clear fouls missed and also two-three handballs missed. Fortunately those were minor incidents. It is great that Letexier stayed out of the spotlights tonight, as a referee should be in such a game if it is not the case of a special intervention (e.g. an excellent advantage let that finished with a goal scored like two years ago).
Good job by Letexier, definitely we will see him again this season on the pitch, UEL semifinal at least.
Very good Nyberg. Brave but calm, let the game flow when possible. This was no small game for his first UCL KO assignment, and based off this, there can be plenty more to come. Well done!
ReplyDeleteNice to read good things about Letexier, too.
Nyberg and Letexier have bright futures for sure.
ReplyDeleteIn London there was a scene around minute 66, where it appears as if after goal kick the defender stops the ball with his hand and then "re-does" the goal kick.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/DavNow83/status/1777807919129452804?t=NGHhGvokxUL-9ei_xA7yFQ&s=19
Tuchel claiming that Nyberg deemed this "a kid's mistake" and nothing to be whistled in a CL QF. Not sure if I agree with ref here. Technically this is a penalty imo...
DeleteAssessment by Lutz Wagner: Awkward situation, ref whistled "into" the execution of the goal kick and realized that he confused the players and therefore didn't award penalty.
DeleteOf course we can look at technical aspects of the game but sometimes you have to be referee smart and follow the spirits of the game. No team would deem it fair to get this penalty whistled against them and therefore not giving it is the correct decision in line with what is ”expected” by fans and players.
DeleteI agree with you MX. Not sure if this goes away quickly in Germany tho. Tuchel and Kane were not amused to put it mildly...
Delete"Spirit of the game" is a cop out. This is a clear handball offence after the goal kick is taken by the GK. It's quite simply an error
DeleteSpirit of the game is highly relevant as a referee, making decisions that are expected according to the nature of football and is even mentioned in the Laws of the Game. Any referee would know this. You need to take expected decisions and ones that a majority would deem fair if the roles were reversed and this is simply not a decision to whistle for even if it’s technically a PK.
Delete@Jules: Indeed, you are right. In Germany, the situation is mentioned everywhere. Fans feel screwed. Manuel Gräfe (former FIFA referee) via X: "As assumed! That‘s a blatant scene! 66‘ handball after goal kick -> would have been a penalty (…)“.
DeleteSo, unlike our first impression, Nyberg‘s performance is indeed quite controversial. Lately, UEFA has rather not been interested in German media echos, differently to some other countries. If they do now, it could be difficult to appoint Nyberg again.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWith some referees already appointed in first legs, Marciniak probably in Rome and Zwayer probably not possible due to German teams, the options for the CL QF 2nd legs are getting small.
ReplyDeleteBasically it should be Kovacs (Munich?), Makkelie (Manchester?), Orsato (Barcelona?) and Vincic (Dortmund?).
However there are some questionmarks behind Kovacs, who was reported as replaced in Croatia and hasn't refereed in Romania recently, it seems.
So they might need an alternative and only Gözübüyük and Massa (would mean three Italians in QF) come to mind.
Logically thinking your predictions should be spot on but the appointments for tomorrow confused me a lot. I wouldnt be surprised to see Sanchez Martinez in Munich. Beyond that the game in Munich would be a good fit for Vincic, but he had Bayern in the Last 16 as well. The game in Dortmund I think anything can happen (especially if Kovacs is injured).
DeleteHow Martinez in Munich and the winner may be face Real Madrid in semi final
DeleteEm relação ao lançamento de Saka com Neuer, há possibilidades de 50 a 50% das situações factuais. Primeiro, se Nyberg assinala o pênalti, não está errado, visto que o goleiro alemão está esticando levemente a amplitude da perna. Segundo, se ele não assinalar (como ele fez), também não estaria errado, pois Saka força um contato em Neuer e não prossegue na jogada. Ele julgou a segunda possibilidade e resolveu não marcar.
ReplyDeleteFor me definitely no PK in Real Madrid - Manchester City. Great no foul from Nyberg in a crucial moment of the game. For me Saka initiates the contact (seeking it) but even if he didn’t I would see this more as a collision rather than a foul from Neuer, very important to not give 50/50 decisions in crucial moments like these, a game deciding penalty has to be crystal clear.
ReplyDeleteSo if Nyberg whistled penalty,it would be correct cause there is contact.
ReplyDeleteHe didnt whistle penalty and it is correct cause attacker is iniciating contact.
Im sorry but the way these refs are protected with this grey area is so funny to me.
Basically in 16m box ref can do no wrong cause grey area determines all and it's every game almost.
If he whistles,there is contact.
If not,there is not enough contact.
Like I say,he can do no wrong in 16m box.
And with all this grey area,VAR help it is so frustrating and funny to see how much they can make mistakes like the ones we saw this season in PL.
Well from a tehnical standpoint both decisions could be considered ”correct” or atleast supportable BUT in terms of whistling a penalty in this game, if the referee points to the spot I would deem it as the wrong decision. In certain scenarios I agree that the gray area favors the referee and their decision but in this case it is a clear no PK for me.
DeleteRefereeing is not easy. We must start from this point of view, to understand that there can be many different and difficult situations to read on the pitch. In this particular case I think you understand why penalty was not whistled, there was an attitude by attacker to look for the contact with keeper. The latter didn't do a real action that can be assessed as careless. But the contact existed, and so, in case of penalty whistled, VAR would have supported. For me, and I agree with MX, if Nyberg had whistled the penalty, he would have rather made a mistake than a correct decision. Definitely too soft and something rather caused by attacker. Now, into VAR argument: it's indeed a very challenging task behind the monitor.
DeleteYou would be maybe surprised, but for me such situations like this one happened yesterday are easier to assess as no intervention than the ones in which there is not a fault by fouled player and the contact happens, but this can be not enough to whistle and not perceived as clear foul. While for yesterday at least you have attacker's behavior to be sure it wasn't 100% clear and obvious mistake (and indeed I think this was van Boekel assessment), there are for sure situations in which more people will disagree.
A referee will try always to take the best decision and VAR will analyze then the call to check whether it was or not a clear and obvius mistake.
The concept of clear and obvious mistake is another argument that in my opinion normal fans don't like, or they don't understand. When there is a VAR check and the decision is supported, very often commentator say "All it's regular, nothing to report for VAR). They don't understand the nuance in which a penalty is possible, but it must be only whistled by referee and the situation happened on the pitch is maybe not 100% fair.
Finally, I think you are not fully right when you say a referee can decide everything in the box and he will find always support, that's correct for many incidents, but there are extremely clear cases like whistling a penalty without contact, and then penalty removed by VAR, step on foot and then penalty or not, but in all such happenings there must be everything very clear.
Yes there are,but with support that he has from VAR,you have to say that plenty decision will go his way.
DeleteIm just saying they will find a way support him,if there is minimal contact,it will be said that it wqs a contact and his actions were justified.
I have to join in praising Letexier's performance tonight, a very good refereeing display for me. He stayed calm from the very beginning of what seemed to develop in a very tough game to referee in those moments, always avoiding to fall under the influence of the players and/or the crowd. His disciplinary approach was very good, with an excellent YC for Tchouameni in the very first minute, but also smart, as he correctly determined the exact moment for the first caution to City players IMO (Akanji in 37' IIRC). Frankly, I thought he handled Carvajal's dissent in 81' excellently, not just from a disciplinary, but also management and leadership point of view. As for the foul detection, there were a couple of minor misses, however his chosen line proved to be optimal for this game, enabling a very good and entertaining game to develop. All KMI's were solved correctly IMO, and his movement and positioning can be considered exemplary for my taste, always reading the game in an optimal way, which enabled him to move and position himself efficiently. Taking everything into consideration, a very positive performance indeed.
ReplyDeleteAs for Nyberg's penalty area situations:
1) For the situation around 66', with the defender taking the ball into his hands, it really is an awkward situation, and from a pure technical standpoint, a handball penalty. However, Nyberg does seem to whistle something (probably trying to hasten the GK into returning the ball to play), and he seems aware of the whole situation, at least according to his reaction. If he thought the defender got confused (and I certainly do), then his refusal to deem this a handball is fully in line with the spirit of the law and common sense, at least for my taste, but I can understand the opposite view from a purely technical point of view, although I do not support it personally.
2) Just before the final whistle, Saka initiated the contact himself, at least for me. I don't see any real responsibility for Neuer there that would make this an impeding foul. Therefore, a correct decision for me (even excellent one).
The situation in 66' teaches us that a referee must show always a mental alertness even when rather nothing is happening. The unpleasant incidents are always ready to happen. Of course Bayern coach used this one because it could have made a very important difference, they don't care too much about what exactly happened, but they talk according to their interest.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Nyberg shouldn't have whistled in that moment, when players were already aware about what to do. Then, I'm the first, and I think that's very clear based on video footage, that the player taking the ball with hands was deceived by whistle and he thought about something different. So, the Swedish was absolutely allowed to play on without punish this behavior, because if a player doesn't understand the meaning of a whistle he can be definitely forgiven.
But, and that's the point, the discussion remains as in case of penalty whistled, strictly by book, nobody could have complained. So the solutions to such incidents is that a referee must be smart avoiding them to happen.
I fully agree on Matei's comment: Real-City has been the pinnacle of the football, a top level of show difficult to reach. In this context Letexier has been very very good. He never lost the control of the game, he shown authority as well a strong verbal and body language. All decision were good; in my opinion some more fouls should have been whistled but he decided to leave playing for the intense show. Players were correct and fair but it's never easy to officiate in front of 80K people in a so intense and speed match. Great job !!!!! he will have a bright future
ReplyDeleteBravo to both referees last night. Both where excellent in the whole. Yes we could sit and nit pick certain things, but both referees in full control.
ReplyDeleteLetexier got the big calls (not many of them) spot on with the early FK and YC. Good YC for dissent later to Carvajal. I like the way he operates, calm facial expressions, in full control and confident decision making, as shown by his signalling, its nice and firm. Good communication with players without overdoing it.
Nyberg with a few interesting penalty decisions. Bayern penalty spot on. The Arsenal handball, he shouldn't have blown his whistle to start with. Perhaps be could then once Gabriel picked it up stoped the game for a "VAR Check" even if there was nothing? Could maybe have sold it better? Its an interesting one as common sense says play on, but technically in law its a handball. Similar thing happened in Wolves vs Chelsea a few years ago, Kante got confused and picked up the ball from a throw in and conceded a freekick. I am not sure what to make of it tbh.
The Arsenal penalty shout at the end, simply brilliant from Nyberg. Saka clearly moves out his leg to initiate contact with Neuer. If it was awarded then no way VAR would have annulled it however, that would be a rather wrong award.
Both great nights for two referees with a bright future ahead of them. Lets hope for the same tonight
Hakem performansları genel olarak iyiydi önümüzdeki hafta gözübüyük görebilirmiyiz.
ReplyDeleteMeler kovacs collum makkeile marciniak
ReplyDelete