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UEFA Champions League 2013/14

Play-Offs, 1st Leg (NED) PSV Eindhoven 1:1 AC Milan (ITA)

20/08/2013, 20:45 CET Eindhoven (Netherlands) Goals scored: 0:1 El Shaarawy (MIL, 15), 1:1 Matav (PSV, 60)
Match Officials Referee Assistant Referee 1 Assistant Referee 2 Additional Assistant Referee 1 Additional Assistant Referee 2 Fourth Official UEFA Referee Observer UEFA Delegate Blog Observer Name Cneyt akr Bahattin Duran Tarik Ongun Hseyin Gek Mete Kalkavan Mustafa Emre Eyisoy Nikolay Levnikov Steve Stride Niclas E. NAT TUR TUR TUR TUR TUR TUR RUS ENG GER Mark 8.3 8.6 8.4 8.0 8.1 8.0 Mark* 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Difficulty Quite Challenging Quite Challenging Normal Normal Normal Normal

* mark without crucial mistake (7.8/7.9) Level of Difficulty

Normal: Normal match for the officials, few challenging situations Quite Challenging: Difficult match with some difficult decisions for the officials Very Challenging: Very difficult match with many difficult situations for the officials

Evaluation Scale 9.0 10.0 Excellent. 8.5 8.9 Very good. Important decision(s) correctly taken. 8.3 8.4 Good. Expected level. 8.2 Satisfactory with small areas for improvement. 8.0 8.1 Satisfactory with important areas for improvement. 7.9 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.3 or above. 7.8 One clear and important mistake, otherwise 8.0 8.2. Below expectation, poor control, significant point(s) for 7.5 7.7 improvement. Disappointing. Below expectation with one and clear important 7.0 7.4 mistake or a performance with two or more clear and important mistakes. 6.0 6.9 Unacceptable. Disciplinary Home Team Minute 45+2 Card YC Player Misconduct Classification 6 Unsporting behaviour (UB)

Additional Time
First half 1 Second half 3

*For fourth official and AARs: 8.0 expected level, 7.7 crucial mistake

Disciplinary Away Team Minute 38 63 70 Card YC YC YC Player Misconduct Classification 10 4 45 Unsporting behaviour (UB) Unsporting behaviour (UB) Unsporting behaviour (UB)

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Description of the match: Play-Off match between PSV Eindhoven and AC Milan in front of a full and heated atmosphere procuded by 35.000 supporters at Philips Stadion. The match could be played under very good weather and field conditions contributing to a very good piece of attacking football, which challenged the referee in following play at all times. The young Dutch squad impressed in the early minutes but had to cope with a surprising goal scored by their opponents. They came back into the match with much passion and verve so that a draw was in the end more than justified and deserved. The match never was unfair or poisoned, but nonetheless there were some smaller conflicts and tackles whose intensity was enhanced by the furious crowd. Therefore experienced referee Cneyt akr all in all faced a quite challenging match.

REFEREE 1
Application and interpretation of the Laws of the Game / match control, tactical approach and management of the game with the special situation(s) of the minute(s): Comments: Referee akr performed very well under the aspect of detecting infringements and spotting corner kicks / goal kicks, meaning that he often proofed a sophisticated game feeling and eye for the last contact between player and ball (e.g. visible in the decision in favour of a goal kick for Milan in minute 4). Very good criteria for handball, proven many times. He had a clear and predictable line throughout the entire match and the players were able to understand where physical play ended and infringements started. Furthermore he did not hesitate to whistle free kicks in dangerous positions and was unimpressed and not influenced by the crowd (see 5)). From the first minute of the game, the tactical approach became quite visible: the referee chose a passive approach to allow the players and the match to develop and create its dynamic, supported by an overall satisfying application of the advantage rule. Nonetheless, he must pay more attention to be aware of being ready to change this approach to an active one when the time has come and certain events in the match require more determination and presence. This was done after the half-time break, but should have started a bit earlier at the end of the first half. He showed willingness to explain his decisions to the players but did not always meet their approval, which is quite natural. It is not needed to always encounter offenders and the entire situation with gestures that should remind the players to calm down (specially visible in minute 38, when he cautioned Milans #10 for an elbow offense). He tolerated too many dissents by word specially by Milans #45 Balotelli, who frequently questioned the referees and his team-mates decisions (e.g. when he verbally complaint into the direction of AR1 after a throw-in decision in favour of PSV, minute 40). and should have shown a stricter dealing with that, otherwise his authority and match control might suffer from that in some matches. It did not happen in this one overall the match was under full control for the whole 90 minutes plus added th time. In the 90 minute, he well calmed down a small confrontation between a PSV player and Balotelli. Correct to not award a penalty to Milan after their forward #92 collided with PSV goalkeeper #21 in the penalty area. No complaints from the forward either (minute 51). In one particular situation, the referee should have taken another decision. When Milan s #45 Balotelli fell in the penalty area, the referee was very well positioned and immediately signalized no penalty and then awarded a free kick to PSV as Balotelli had handled the ball after having fallen. The replays revealed that it was a clear dive. The referee should be more precise in his assessment of such situations, recognizing clear cases of simulation and cautioning the respective offender. Minute 23 Description of the situation It seemed as if the referee certainly spotted the simulation that had been committed by Balotelli, at least his positioning allowed to do so. Therefore he should show no hesitation to punish them in future.

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Disciplinary control, management of players and team officials (bench) with the special situation(s) of the minute(s): Comments: The disciplinary management was overall good. The referee only issued cautions when really necessary with regard to th fouls in the midfield. The first caution went against Milans #10 in the 38 minute, who recklessly carted out his elbow in a jumping duel and touched his opponent twice with it (in the air and after touching the ball). He should have presented himself in a more decisive way though and should have avoided to wait too long with showing the card. The players used this chance to try some protests against his call. The second caution was more debatable. PSV #6 fouled MIL #45 when the ball was already away. #45 however waited for this contact and fell in a way that was more spectacular than necessary. Nevertheless, the card was no complete error, as an obvious infringement occurred when the ball was already played for a few moments (probably this decision was also bolstered by an advice given by the fourth official). Other yellow cards were shown in the second half, one for a reckless tackle very close to AR1 (#4) and another one to MIL #45 for a tactical foul (holding) to stop a counterattack. Both decisions absolutely in line with the Laws of the Game and the referee s line of interpreting things in this match. He should punish dissent by word in future, Balotelli was really lucky to get away without a card after verbally criticizing AR1 in minute 40. In future he must find a more consistent dealing with delaying the re-start of play. In many occasions Milan players wasted some time, even in the first half. He often pointed to his watch to indicate that this wasted time would be added upon the 90 minutes, which however did not happen. The standard additional time of 3 minutes was signalized. In two situations at the far-side, the referee did not appear in a convincing way while dealing with that (66 and 82). In 66, this was very striking because, at a free-kick in the midfield for Milan, #18 obviously delayed the free kick s execution. For this reason, akr sprinted towards him and made some hysterical gestures to tell him Stop wasting time, do that again and you will be cautioned!. This way to communicate with players and to achieve that time-wasting is banned out of the match definitely need improvement even more because in minute 82, a similar thing happened and once again, the referee did not issue a caution. He should hold what he promised in future. Minute 40 66 Description of the situation He should have demanded more respect for his and his team-mates decisions, after Balotelli strongly protested into the direction of AR1. Here the referee missed the right point for a caution for delaying the re-start of play. His whole management with that issue should be improved, starting from detecting time-wasting, continuing with cautioning offenders for that and ending with enlarging the additional time (4 or 5 minutes would have been adequate).

Physical Condition: Very good Positioning and Movement:

+ Expected -

X ---------

--X X X X

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Always close to the play, follows play at all times, and does not interfere with play Flexible diagonal system Able to anticipate the action Enters the penalty area when necessary Efficient positioning at set pieces / dead ball (e.g. corner-kick, free-kick, goal-kick)

Please describe any special situation(s) with indication of the minute(s) mandatory if you tick - (negative point) in one of the above boxes: Minute Description of the situation As indicated in the description of the match, the game was characterized by a very high pace. The referee never had problems to follow play as a result of a very good stamina, movement and positioning. When the ball Full time reached the goalkeeper after a wave of attacking play, he immediately sprinted towards the midfield circle to guarantee to be on level with play at the next counterattack. Well done.

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Co-operation with assistant referees, additional assistant referees (where applicable) and fourth official: The referee team acting on this pitch is a very experienced one. It was visible that the referee easily relied on his teammates, e.g. in the third booking that was recommended by AR1. One had the feeling that they communicated well with each other, even though there was no remarkable scene where one of the team-mates could have played a really decisive role.

Personality: The referees personality and charisma both can be described as modest. He eschewed great gestures for most of the time and wanted to control the match with a calm and friendly mood. His facial expression and body language supported that. He often showed the players that his decisions are final but that he is open to explain them to them. Sometimes it could have been wiser to show more determination and severity to fill the room for protests he offered to the players in some moments of the first half.

General comments, advice on performance and personality: After Old Trafford (ManU Real Madrid), this match was the comeback of Cneyt akr on Champions League stage. He did overall well and showed his skills one is used to see. The basic performance in terms of controlling the match and taking decisions was very good, however in some instances, his dealing with certain aspects and players should be improved. Therefore a possible mark of 8.5 was reduced to 8.3.

Points discussed in the report: Interpretation of the Laws of the Game: detection of infringements (foul, no foul, handling the ball) and of the correct type of re-starting play (goal kick, corner kick). Understandable and predictable reaction to infringements. His disciplinary control was sensibly chosen, even though he missed one or two further cautions. Sovereign body language, modest appearance on the pitch and the ability to calm players down even in situations of possible conflicts and unpopular decisions. Physical aspects: a great stamina and movement allowed him to follow this highpace match. Dealing with delaying the re-start of play. Decide: either sort out some cautions to ban this behaviour already started by Milan players in the first half, or keep your promise to enlarge the additional time at the end of the second half often indicated by pointing to the wristwatch. Hysterical sprints and gestures to instruct some players to stop wasting time were naturally not successful and should be avoided in future. Demanding the players respect for his refereeing teams decisions in a more determined manner. Cautioning Balotelli (#45) for dissent by word towards AR1 could have been a signal that undermining his authority would not be accepted. Finding the right point of time to switch the approach from passive to active. More flexibility might help. Cautioning clear occasions of simulation instead of letting the game go on.

Positive points:

1) 2) 3) 4)

Points for improvement:

1)

2) 3) 4)

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ASSISTANT REFEREE 1 8
Assistant referees performance (please mention some important decisions with reference to the minute): Positioning and Movement:
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X X X --X

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Correct offside decisions and good application of the wait and see technique Good positioning and movement Adequate alertness and good co-operation with the referee Reaction to incidents within his vicinity Efficient control at set pieces / dead ball (e.g. corner-kick, free-kick, goal-kick)

Comments: Very good and faultless performance by the first assistant referee, Bahattin Duran. He took a crucial decision correct when nd he detected that Milans goal-scorer #92 was on level with the 2 last defender during the 0:1. All other offside and onside th decisions looked good, in the 67 minute, he proofed a good application of the wait and see technique. Furthermore, he well reacted to incidents happening in his area of vicinity, e.g. when he spotted that the ball had already crossed the sideline in minute 40 or the foul leading to a yellow card in minute 63. In the first example (40 ), he stayed calm when Balotelli protested against his decision, advising the referee to caution the player would have been adequate though. Overall a very good performance, 8.6. Please describe any special situation(s) with indication of the minute(s) mandatory if you tick - (negative point) in one of the above boxes: Minute 13 Description of the situation Very good onside decision prior to Milans goal. Good positioning led to a correct decision with a crucial outcome for the match.

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2 9
Assistant referees performance (please mention some important decisions with reference to the minute): Positioning and Movement:
+ Expected -

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X X X X X

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Correct offside decisions and good application of the wait and see technique Good positioning and movement Adequate alertness and good co-operation with the referee Reaction to incidents within his vicinity Efficient control at set pieces / dead ball (e.g. corner-kick, free-kick, goal-kick)

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Comments: The second assistant referee, Tarik Ongun, was rarely challenged in this match but performed well whenever demanded. nd He took a very good decision in the first minute of play when PSV #6, having been level with the 2 last defender, deflected a shot of #9 and thus nearly scored a very early goal. Due to the confusing character of the situation and high pace, this call was really challenging. But that was the only really demanding situation he had to cope with. Therefore a really good performance assessed with 8.4. Please describe any special situation(s) with indication of the minute(s) mandatory if you tick - (negative point) in one of the above boxes: Minute Description of the situation

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT REFEREE 1 10

Additional Assistant referees performance (please mention some important decisions with reference to the minute): Positioning and Movement:
+ Expected -

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X X X X

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Good positioning and movement Adequate alertness and good co-operation with the referee Reaction to incidents within his vicinity Efficient control at set pieces / dead ball (e.g. corner-kick, free-kick, goal-kick)

Comments: The first additional assistant referee, Hseyin Gek, was not remarkably involved in game-relevant situations or decisions. Everything normal and on expected level. Please describe any special situation(s) with indication of the minute(s) mandatory if you tick - (negative point) in one of the above boxes: Minute Description of the situation

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ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT REFEREE 2 11

Additional Assistant referees performance (please mention some important decisions with reference to the minute): Positioning and Movement:
+ Expected -

X -------

--X X X

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Good positioning and movement Adequate alertness and good co-operation with the referee Reaction to incidents within his vicinity Efficient control at set pieces / dead ball (e.g. corner-kick, free-kick, goal-kick)

Comments: st The second additional assistant referee, Mete Kalkavan, was a bit more involved in the match. In the 51 minute, he had to decide: either he follows the lob on goal by Milan #92, which probably will reach the goal, or he pays attention to the collision between the goalkeeper and Milans forward #92 after the lob is executed. He decided in favour of the fi rst opportunity, which was surely good. Milan #92 nearly collided with AAR2 when he fell. The AAR had no chance to assess the collision, an error that lies in the system. However, nothing happened which demanded a penalty kick after watching the replays. Later on, a clearance by a PSV defender totally hit AAR2, who stood firmly and still. The defender apologized th with a handshake, Kalkavan accepted and had to smile a bit, nice scene (84 minute). His very flexible and active movement and positioning on the goalline, certainly at corner kicks, was remarkable. Please describe any special situation(s) with indication of the minute(s) mandatory if you tick - (negative point) in one of the above boxes: Minute Description of the situation

FOURTH OFFICIAL 12
Comment on the fourth official: Maybe the fourth official advised the referee to issue the second caution of the match against a PSV player. Otherwise, he performed on expected level and managed everything in a decent way. Nothing controversial between both benches.