Been two big nights of football. The Champions Leagues semi finals. What every player is looking forward to. It very hard to come this far. So what happened in the games are sad. First Lyon vs Bayern. Criss gets sent off for clapping his hands at a yellow card he didn’t agree on. In my opinion this is not a stage of the competition where referees are suppose to make statements for small petty things. Let the players play. Thats what everyone want to see. If the referee feels offended or whatever he felt, talk to Criss that if he does it again he will get a second yellow and sent off or bring it up after the game with the referees representatives for next years competition but don’t kill the game for something like that.

Then we have the Barcelona-Inter sending off. Everyone that has played the game at a decent level knows that when you are being followed by another player from behind in the middle of the park you are thought to put out your hand behind you to feel where the opponent is! There is a MASSIVE difference from putting out your hand to hitting out an elbow!!! To me that the referee sends him of on his second yellow or not the referee needs to have a feeling for the game. Motta was only feeling what he had behind him with his hand unfortunately he connected with his face but with no power at all. If you wanna give a free kick for hand in face do that but don’t send someone off. That happens so many times in a game (a small reflection, I’m short 176cm. When I feel behind me I normally feel the stomach or chest of my opponent but players that are taller still must be allowed to feel with their hand behind them as long as the don’t hit out with it). In my book you just don’t send someone off for that in a semifinal. To much on stake to make a mistake like that. Referee probably thought it was an elbow but if you don’t see it you can’t do what he did. After that the game was dead to me. Wanted to see these two great teams battle it out now it just became a tactical game. Felt sorry for Inter and Motta but mostly for all football fans in the world. Everybody was looking forward to two of the best teams in the world to clash heads and see some great football from two different football schools.

My motto is let the players decide who will win. Not the referee! If there is bad tackle etc send player off but not for petty silly things like this. But that’s just my opinion. Lets now look forward to the final and hope it’s gonna be a great one.

On end note I would like to say Mourino is probably the best tactician in the world!!! Whatever we think about how Inter played they were absolutely amazing defensively. Barcelona away is probably the hardest place to play in the world. He has done it with Chelsea and now with Inter.

//F

Big game tonight. Replay of the Champions League final a couple of years ago. Hope we can have a good result tonight. Barca is a great team but think they suit Arsenal quite well. Barcas strenght is goin forward. They don’t like to be under pressure defensivly. And it doesn’t happen very often as most teams sit back and let them have possesion as they are so good with the ball. Arsenals style is goin forward as well. So I really hope Arsenal will test Barcas defence tonite!!

For the overall leg I think Barca has a big advantage that they will play the second leg in Barcelona and not in London. The home or away draw to start is very important at this stage of the competition. Let’s hope it gonna be an amasing game.

ENJOY!
//F