Buzzin Football

There were only two similarities between this week’s UEFA Champions League semi-final 2nd leg matches between Arsenal v Manchester United and Chelsea v Barcelona.  The goal in both games was scored as early as the 8th minute and both games were marred by poor referee decisions.

The pre-match hope and scarf waving at the Emirates Stadium lasted 11 minutes. Two goals in two minutes from Man Utd and the game was over.  Manchester United were stronger in every way and absolutely destroyed Arsenal.

When Ronaldo scored a trademark second goal to make the aggregate score 3-0, the animated close up of Arsene Wenger hiding his face in his hands told the whole story.  United were on fire, as Rooney and Ronaldo were simply unstoppable.

The game ended 3-1 with second half goals from Ronaldo and Robin Van Persie from the penalty spot, after Darren Fletcher was penalised for a last ditch challenge on Cesc Fabregas.  The challenge was a good one and if anything it was Fabregas’ reaction and accentuated fall that got Darren Fletcher the red card which means he will now miss the UEFA Champions League Final on Wednesday 27th May.

Manchester United will play Barcelona in the final after they managed an equalising goal in the 92nd minute in a game of few opportunities and plenty of appalling referee decisions.

Michael Essien had put Chelsea ahead in the 8th minute but they always needed the safety of a second goal as one goal for Barcelona would be enough for the Catalan team to go through on the away goal rule.

Chelsea felt they had four clear penalty appeals.  after seeing several replays I feel they really only have a case with two.  In a post match interview Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said he couldn’t understand why Chelsea were not awarded three penalties.

John Terry said there were six or seven penalty appeals (not sure about that, John!)  and the semi-final was a shambles due to an inexperienced referee.  That I agree with.  Unfortunately, he went on to say he was “fully behind Didier Drogba for the way he reacted.”

The way Drogba reacted after the final whistle was not acceptable. Pointing a finger in the face of the referee after storming back onto the pitch from the dressing room and spitting obscenities directly into a live tv camera is not the way to behave.

What is clear is that such big occasions deserve referees with bags of experience; and though it seems totally injust, Manchester United v Barcelona is possible the UEFA Champions League final that all neutrals would have wished for.