First legs of 2025-26 UEFA Champions League KO Play-offs, second set of games, 18 February 2026.
18:45 CET - Baku (Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika Stadionu)
QARABAĞ FK (AZE) - NEWCASTLE UNITED FC (ENG)
Referee: Espen Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Sigurd Kringstad NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Higler NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Matteo Simone Trefoloni ITA
UEFA Delegate: Ignas Marcinkevičius LTU
21:00 CET - Piraeus (Stadio Geōrgios Karaiskakīs)
OLYMBIAKÓS SFP (GRE) - BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN (GER)
Referee: João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR
Fourth Official: João Gonçalves POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fábio Oliveira Melo POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Edward Foley IRL
UEFA Delegate: Iveta Bankova BUL
21:00 CET - Bodø (Aspmyra)
FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR) - FC INTERNAZIONALE MILANO (ITA)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav BIH
UEFA Delegate: Mirosław Ryszka POL
21:00 CET - Bruges (Jan Breydelstadion)
CLUB BRUGGE KV (BEL) - CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (ESP)
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Kristoffer Karlsson SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Barış Şimşek TUR
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray HUN
18:45 CET - Baku (Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika Stadionu)
ReplyDeleteQARABAĞ FK (AZE) - NEWCASTLE UNITED FC (ENG)
Referee: Espen Eskås NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Elias Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Sigurd Kringstad NOR
Video Assistant Referee: Rob Dieperink NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Dennis Higler NED
UEFA Referee Observer: Matteo Simone Trefoloni ITA
UEFA Delegate: Ignas Marcinkevičius LTU
21:00 CET - Piraeus (Stadio Geōrgios Karaiskakīs)
OLYMBIAKÓS SFP (GRE) - BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN (GER)
Referee: João Pinheiro POR
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR
Fourth Official: João Gonçalves POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Fábio Oliveira Melo POR
UEFA Referee Observer: Edward Foley IRL
UEFA Delegate: Iveta Bankova BUL
21:00 CET - Bodø (Aspmyra)
FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR) - FC INTERNAZIONALE MILANO (ITA)
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Christian Dingert GER
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
UEFA Referee Observer: Elmir Pilav BIH
UEFA Delegate: Mirosław Ryszka POL
21:00 CET - Bruges (Jan Breydelstadion)
CLUB BRUGGE KV (BEL) - CLUB ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (ESP)
Referee: Glenn Nyberg SWE
Assistant Referee 1: Mahbod Beigi SWE
Assistant Referee 2: Andreas Söderkvist SWE
Fourth Official: Kristoffer Karlsson SWE
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Robert Schröder GER
UEFA Referee Observer: Barış Şimşek TUR
UEFA Delegate: Balázs Makray HUN
I think a pretty good set of appointments, they are probably keeping the big elite names for the return legs.
ReplyDeleteVery happy to see the rise of Siebert overall, he's getting a lot of attention, and maybe he gets his WC spot
Siebert is not among the 16 referees at the seminar for the World Cup, so he has no chance of being in contention.
DeleteOh, I thought he was for sure there ... That's disappointing :/
DeleteNo debuts for the new elites? Seems a bit surprising to me...
ReplyDeleteThey will probably officiate in the Europa League. There are also tough matches there
DeleteI expect Walsh to appear on Thursday, as he has worked with his usual international assistants this week, which is usually a sign.
DeleteUntil now I don't know the situation of pljeto and sandro schärer from best referees in Europe last season to leave the scene
ReplyDeleteI think at this point we shouldn't indeed expect the new Elite referees for second legs, committee seems to have decided to allow them to start only from Europa League games. The most logical assignment would have been Jablonski (for performance principle), maybe in Baku. Since the second legs choices are already made, it's hard to believe they could change something. However, with Rosetti everything is possible. We will see.
ReplyDeleteSiebert out also means that Zwayer will not see CL games for a while, and I think that's fair. Unfortunately for him, if he had in mind CL final, it's already time to give up. He must work just to ensure that he will have a very good World Cup.
Pinheiro, Nyberg and Eskas all regular assignments.
Yes, returns are all experienced names without knowing the scoreline. However, the RefCom might still change an appointment after a 1st leg score (e.g. Obrenovic last year).
DeleteNo Italian in the first leg is quite unprecedented, if you ask me.
Maybe, Zwayer could still return in UCL KO after a strong UEL performance? Who knows.
Eskås (with Trefoloni; FIFA) seems to be under more of a microscope than Nyberg and Pinheiro.
The VAR appointments are interesting this year - it’s pretty clear who they trust the most. I’d say Dankert is nailed on for the final anyway. Even if, for example, Letexier takes the whistle, since Brisard has already done a UCL final as VAR.
Who is the head of the Italian Serie A Referees Committee.
ReplyDeleteRocchi.
Delete8 names for the returns:
ReplyDeleteOliver
Vincic
Turpin
Italian 1
Italian 2
Kovacs
Sanchez?
Taylor?
Kruzliak / Peljto / Schärer?
Marciniak (injured?)
Italian 1 and Italian 2 it's nice, but absolutely true.
DeleteVery often no matter the name, only important thing is that it must be an Italian.
Mariani has been assigned to officiate Milan - Como on Wednesday, the widely discussed game, supposed to be played in Australia, but then turned into a farce by FIGC because of how it was handled, with massive media attention. Como in great form this year but without declared goals; and Milan, who could have the last chances against their hated rivals for the title (even if it's rather unlikely).
So I think Mariani will appear.
Maybe the second name will be Guida, but I'm not sure.
Unsurprisingly Kavanagh is left completely out of PL appointments this weekend (usually they are appointed as a 4th official or VAR when having no game). The AR who missed an offside and was close to the terrible no penalty decision has been appointed to a championship game with a championship Ref and AR.
ReplyDeleteWas there a foul on Kounde before Girona's 2-1 goal?
ReplyDeleteThe VAR decided not to intervene; I'd like to know your opinion. In my opinion, it was a serious error on the part of the VAR not to intervene.
IMO
DeleteYes there was a foul, missed stamp and YC.
Also,same player was minutes before pulling De Jong,almost taking his shirt off.
Advantage was given,so no card was shown,ridiculous rule.
And RC for foul on Yamal,clear.
There are some arguments for YC,but I think Soto made right decision.
Imo, a foul and missed VAR intervention. About the advantage, you could still caution a player for LoR holding afterwards.
Delete23’: clear YC missed by Eskas (and check…for potential RC done) so difficult to assess a simple warning as norwegian decided…
ReplyDelete30 ´ : OFR and penalty for handball in a quite easy live perception to assess. Not a good start for Eskas in a very easy match (0-3 in 30 mn). Not sure on key incidents.
ReplyDeleteThat's not a penalty; the arm is in a movement justified by the player's action.
DeleteAgree with JulioH, I’m baffled by that OFR and decision. The shot hits the defender’s support arm, justified position for the action taken.
DeleteOFR for Eskas but IMO no penalty. I dont want this type of penalties.
ReplyDeleteNever never never a penalty .. lol
ReplyDeleteEskas making a simple game to ref look difficult
ReplyDeleteQarabağ FK (29 min).
ReplyDeleteImagine a player falling without this hand position, an ambulance would immediately take him off the field. This is body support, many will say it is not, but when he called for it, it was. Who is the boss then? The referee or the VAR?
I think VAR was the boss here
DeleteCould argue the defender knows what he's doing and making himself bigger but there's always going to be a supporting arm. Not a pen for me.
ReplyDelete44’: good penalty whistled by Eskas. Clear foul by GK. Nothing to say. Match is over and second leg too.
ReplyDeleteA 5 nil game with Eskas not strong enough to apply the rules when called to var and missing 2/3 bookings. Not great
ReplyDelete0-5 after first half, as one could have predicted, the game was overappointed.
ReplyDeleteSaid that, for me a mistake by VAR to call this handball:
https://streamff.com/v/b07f9a78
Should be considered arm as support, in case of touch by other arm (upper arm), then penalty.
The strong argument without VAR intervention is that: if penalty and clear situation, why not to give it live? Impossible to think Eskas didn't see it.
These situations often happens when you have a referee from a country and VAR from another country. They have different ideas and in the end referee goes to change his decision without questioning too much the VAR analysis, this doesn't happen so frequently when you have referee and VAR knowing themselves from the same country.
Rosetti should take note that consistency about handballs is still very far away from some UEFA officials..
A potential answer will be given by the next assignments for Dieperink and Eskas. It can be managed like the famous Peljto - Higler case.. but well, I don't want to go too far, just asking Rosetti that we want consistency and clear guidelines about handball.
And the fact that it is a 0-5 after first half, shouldn't matter in committee assessment about this crucial incident, I hope!
DeleteThey must give all the importance it deserves.
Let's see if Eskas' passport, unlike Peljto's, can bail him out ;)
DeleteI am very negatively surprised by the comments on this blog.
DeleteIt's amazing that you all call this a supporting arm. In order for this to be treated as a supporting arm the defender must slide towards the ball (on the ball) and not jump into the block (when shooting at goal).
Therefore the hand is not a support for the body but the defender makes the body bigger in this way and defends the space. Just compare this situation with the situation Letexier had in Dortmund match (if I remember well)... It's the same kind of making the body bigger.
If you don't believe me, wait for the next UEFA RAP
Cheers
This is handball because defender did blok like goalkeeper the ball.There for this is punishable handball.IMO int is correct.
Delete(44min)penalty correct,but…
ReplyDeleteDOGSO, intending to play the ball, did not show a yellow card because he was thinking about the previous OFR who changed the decision because it is "expected", and Eskas does not agree with the VAR decision
In the defender's action, the hand serves as a point of support for the body, a situation that is typically not penalized when the ball is not kicked toward the goal. However, in this play, the ball is shot toward the goal, and the referee analyzes the incident from the perspective of a goal-scoring opportunity—meaning the player increases their body surface area, even if unintentionally (referencing the Cucurella incident at the Euros).
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteBut the two situations are very different, in fact: Cucurella's situation should have been punished because he was standing up, not sliding. In this situation, the Qarabag NATURALLY placed him arm this way to support himself and not smash his head on the ground.
DeleteI confess I didn't understand anything about that goal by the Azerbaijani team. The player seems to be well positioned in front of the goal, aiming for the main angle.
ReplyDeleteMistake by AR2, very clear ONSIDE for the home-team goal, he wrongly raised the flag. It's not a good performance by Norwegian crew so far.
ReplyDeleteSorry guys, but 30’ is clear handball offence for UEFA as far as I understand from previous examples in games and in RAP clips. Player’s only intention is to block the shot and making himself as big as possible. He is never even jumping towards the ball. And that is the risk he is taking when his hands are away from his body.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Clear handball by UEFA guidelines (RAP clips)
DeleteAgreed. Clear handball - the player throws himself only to block a shot, he is not fighting for the ball. It's a GK-like intervention.
DeleteGuys, where would the player position their arm in this situation? The arm is where it should be for the player's action.
DeleteBut what is the player's action? Blocking a shot, therefore it's deliberate handling of expected ball. It has nothing to do with fighting for the ball by performing a slide tackle.
DeleteAgreed, a very clear penalty.
DeleteThe point here is not the arm's position but rather the player's action itself.
Not only is it a correct VAR call, but also a mistake made by Eskas.
Even with the match practically over in Baku, it wasn't a great night for Eskas. Confusing decisions, a night below expectations for the Norwegian.
DeleteI disagree; what needs to be analyzed is whether the arm position is justified by the player's action.
DeleteRegarding the player's action, the player assumes the risk of the ball hitting his arm, but without committing an infraction.
I agree no handball no penalty
DeleteAbsolutely never handball. Same situation like Egypt in AFCON. Supporting arm. Not even a debate. In that case forbid sliding tackles.
DeleteThose calling ‘30 a support arm really need to start asking themselves why the player is making that kind of jump in the first place. Not because he slipped, I’d assume. It’s very goalkeeper-like, indeed.
ReplyDeleteOFR for Nyberg after a clear handball
ReplyDeleteThe Swede started very well. The penalty was well awarded.
ReplyDelete13‘ Stamp and correct YC by Pinheiro. Excellent acceptance!
ReplyDeleteBut unusual early YC according to Pinheiro style, I would add :)
DeleteTotally right but the entry with yellow was mandatory (and also good :))
DeleteIs that not an offensive handball for the inter goal ?
ReplyDeleteThe Inter player who scored the goal clearly control the ball with his hand ... ??
ReplyDeleteDefinitely hand ball decisions at the forefront of decisions today lol
ReplyDeleteVAR spotted an offside at Greece. Very difficult to spot on field given that the ball slightly touches Taremi
ReplyDeleteImpossible for AR.
DeleteIndeed. He appeared to be communicating with Pinheiro but even for him it’s impossible to see
DeleteSorry but how on earth VAR Dingert stayed silent with TWO hands before 1-1 for Inter. Unbelievable decision !
ReplyDeleteBodo - Inter, possible handball before goal.
ReplyDeleteIf handball by a player and then immediate goal by teammate close to him, not punishable?
Video:
https://streambug.org/cv/e98ad2
There is also handball by the teammate Chefren ! Incredible mistake !
DeleteIn my opinion, the first handball was not a punishable offense, and the goalscorer probably did not touch the ball with his arm.
DeleteHe did. We had a super focused replay in french television and 200 % handball…
DeleteIn my opinion VAR assessed not punishable the first handball, then he didn't have evidence for a possible second one.
DeleteAgree but it’s weird if it’s the reason because television showed it clearly here…
DeleteOf course it touched the scorers arm. Blatant.
DeleteBoth players' arms are close to their bodies, and the dynamics appear natural. No punishable handball, no PK, notwithstanding the consequent immediate goal IMO.
ReplyDeleteSecond one is automatically punishable because of goal after. Clear mistake.
Delete58’: YC forgotten to Inter player. Very lenient and unsure Siebert tonight. Very surprised by him.
I didn’t see handball by goalscorer but only by the first player, not punishable. If goalscorer has a ball touch, even if accidentally: so yess, mistake and no goal of course
DeleteGood onside call by Swedish AR1
ReplyDelete59th or 60th minute, very clear free kick in dangerous position in favour of Glimt not given, Inter defender was holding Hogh with both hands.
ReplyDeleteVery poor play-on decision by siebert after offside flag went up in 75’
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/15bc69
DeleteI will be always against advantage after offside.
Since it is very often given close to the own penalty area, it's very easy that a counterattack ends immediately by losing ball and then troubles if goal scored by opponents.
The argument that it must be player fault if he loses ball after given advantage to his team is very weak, to me that's just making refereeing more complicated in a very unnecessary way.
Also it happened at a point in the game when the home side up two goals would preferred a free kick and not advantage.
DeleteChefren, i totally don't agree with you, the referee should be smart enough to give only the advantage in the moment the player really has the time to give a good pass or shot, when he has not.... there should not be given advantage, iff in every case by offside you blow the whistle... the game will be more dead than needed, players don't like that!, and with a good pass or shot, a counter after offside advantage will be very effective, you can't blame the referee iff there is enough time and the player can;t even give a normal pass or shot!
DeleteApparently, Nyberg went unnoticed in Bruges today.
ReplyDeleteNot regarding the handball and correctly awarded penalty or the two yellow cards, but in any kind of controversy. A clean performance from the Swede and his assistants.
Except wrong cancelled goal prior to 3-3 by AR1. Difficult call but had to take the risk to allow the goal. VAR correction to keep good the goal.
DeleteUnnoticed? Belgian media and coach of Club Brugge are a lot complaining. Not only about his decisions, but also the nervousness in his way of handling
DeleteBest performances of the week by Letexier and Makkelie - by a mile. They handled extremely difficult matches, stayed in control throughout, and did it all without VAR to bail them out.
ReplyDeleteMakkelie best of the week not Letexier not so flawless even so some referees are protected like him
DeletePredictions (looks straightforward to me)
ReplyDeleteReal vs Benfica: Vincic
Juve vs Galatasaray: Turpin
Atalanta vs BVB: Kovacs
Paris vs Monaco: Oliver
Inter vs Bodo: Sanchez Martinez
Atleti vs Bruges: Italian referee
Leverkusen vs Olympiakos: Italian referee (I leave to Chefren which ones)
Newcastle vs Qarabag, maybe a new Elite will get it, e.g. Jablonski.
No need to rush Marciniak.
Maybe, I would swap Kovacs and Sanchez, given the first leg results. They need a strong name in Milan
DeleteI try something less straightforward
DeleteAtletico - Brugge: Massa
Inter - Bodo: Vincic
Newcastle - Qarabag: Peljto
Leverkusen - Olympiakos: Hernandez
Atalanta - Dortmund: Turpin
Juventus - Galatasaray: Zwayer
Real - Benfica: Taylor
PSG - Monaco: Oliver
I can not imagine that UEFA has enough trust in Taylor to give him the now very sensitive Real-Benfica... I would bet a lot that we will see Vincic, Marciniak or Turpin there.
DeleteProbably Taylor in Paris so that there is no risk that a potential final referee is burned? If PSG makes it again to the final, Oliver is a likely choice.
Real - Benfica will be English considering the heated 1st leg as we all know they work under heated and toxic environment in the premier League
DeleteThe very clean games are from Makkelie and Letexier, I agree. The Vinicius incident is somerhing extra we can't judge about, but as for the rest all very good.
ReplyDeleteTo follow, I think Gozubuyuk and Pinheiro must be mentioned.
I liked the approach by both referees, especially the disciplinary management by Portuguese who honestly was not famous for that under my eyes.
In all the rest of the games you have something to point out.
Maybe not a big issue for Nyberg to make that early OFR, but if he had spotted the handball live, he would have done something better, in Bodo discussion about the goal by Inter, I need to watch the video in which the handball by scorer is clear, this would then demonstrate a confirmed crucial mistake by VAR. For sure he was aware he had to check that, but maybe he didn't have the footage (I don't know).
Some offside interventions here and there, the one that shouldn't have happened was in Baku for Qarabag goal.
Controversial performance by Eskas regardless of the VAR call, if correct, he missed it live, if wrong, he folllowed a wrong adivcee by VAR. Gil Manzano should have seen the SFP right in front of him (something is always missing for the referee from Extremadura, who missed WC call).
The UEFA official explanation of the VAR call in Baku is the following:
32' Decision overturned: Penalty awarded
Qarabağ player, No2, touched the ball with his left arm, which was in an unnatural position and away from the body.
Unnatural position, but while player trying that action, it was impossible to have it in a different position. Maybe they could have added further details here ("The player deliberately made that action to increase his body's volume, regardless of the arm as support"). Very curious about how it will be assessed...
I think the best performance showed by a referee in first legs games was joao pinheiro, calm referee , firm , respect the players i am not surprising if he appointed another match for next week , champions league or Europe league
ReplyDeleteof course!! 😅
DeleteIt is first time you agree with me😁
DeleteBest in league phase, best in playoff. So next step MUST BE the final! If not, something is wrong in the world. Or someone is living in an illusion…
DeleteI have a questions for fans of letexier why valverde does not get red card when he hit samuel dahl
ReplyDeleteIt’s a very clear red. AR even gestured what the foul was but play was started immediately. Didn’t even give a change for VAR to intervene. Bad management there.
DeleteSerie A appointments: Mariani with a game on Monday, Guida on Sunday. So Massa should be in charge. I think on Tuesday. Guida still possible on Wednesday but rather not. However very strange, given how Italian referees Were assigned before. Maybe Rosetti was really Angry for Italian management of VAR.
ReplyDeleteAgree,
DeleteOFR for handball penalty in BRUATM (Nyberg):
ReplyDeletehttps://streambug.org/cv/51c0cc
Falling down, natural arm movement reflex for balance. Absolutely not unnatural. The law is never applied correctly.
Delete