UEFA Champions League Season 2010/2011

[idioot]

no card for this..

can't say that Barca didn't deserve to go through but the ref was awful, didn't leave us with any chance with that stupid red...

[Guest]

Poor decisions from the referee. Barca should have had a penalty earlier in the game, and it wasn't a red card (not that it would have had much of an influence on the outcome, IMO).

Barcelona are ridiculously good on their night.

[Valerus]

ruined what could have been a great game. he let Barca step all over us.

Yes, we had 0 shots on goal, we couldn't get to the goal without getting trampled over.

[Bassem]

Horrible refereeing but a deserved win nonetheless. Van Persie's sending off was definitely harsh. Barca were also denied a penalty earlier in the game.

Bad refereeing aside, Arsenal did not deserve to go through tonight. They tried to park the bus and failed. Even before Van Persie's sending off, they had zero attemps on/off goal and 26% of the possession. Do I think Arsenal would've been able to come back had Van Persie not been sent off? No. Even when they still had a chance, it's like they didn't even realize it only took one goal, they didn't even try.

[Crazysah]

We deserved to at least hang on. Maybe with RVP still there we could have got a shot. The refereeing ruined what would have been a great last 30 minutes with 11 on 11. That yellow card was so unnecessary. Damn the referee. Cost us any chance.

[DigoG]

Is it just me or is anybody else not surprised that Bendtner has missed that near one-on-one chance near the end of the game? This is the same guy who thinks he's brilliant and deserves to play every week.

[nothuman]

This guy can't beat Mascherano in speed and can't do a simple control.

[Rappy Veteran]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and winger Samir Nasri have been charged by Uefa over comments to the referee after the defeat by Barcelona on Tuesday.

Wenger was involved in a furious exchange with Massimo Busacca after a 3-1 loss that eliminated the Gunners from the Champions League.

Wenger was incensed by the decision to show striker Robin van Persie a second yellow card at 1-1 in the 56th minute.

Uefa studied reports from Busacca before charging Wenger and Nasri.

[MightyJordan]

Bloody disgraceful whenever someone gets fined just for telling the truth.

[AbandonedTrolley]

Well I'm sure all the Arsenal fans will be hoping Spurs do better this evening! :whistle:

COYS! :D

[MightyJordan]

A spot-on article about the match, from, surprisingly the Daily Mail, of all places:

Bungling referee Massimo Busacca makes it easier for Barcelona masters

Look, we know who the best team was. It was Barcelona in the Nou Camp, for heaven?s sake. It barely goes without saying which team played the best football, had the most possession, scored the best goal, enjoyed a veritable landslide of chances.

It would make a refreshing change, though, if just once, Barcelona could win this tournament without being set on their way by the obliging incompetence of a match official.

For the clueless Tom Henning Ovrebo against Chelsea in 2009, read the merciless Massimo Busacca of Switzerland in 2011. If there is a crumb of consolation it is that it is likely Barcelona would have won anyway. They are a better team than Arsenal and, over two legs and three hours, that much has been obvious.

Yet at the time Busacca made a decision that effectively swung the match beyond redemption in Barcelona?s favour, the score was tied at 1-1 and, on aggregate, Arsenal were going through.

Robin van Persie had already been booked for a foolish moment involving minimal contact with Barcelona?s prime irritant, Daniel Alves, but when he ran through on goal and was flagged for offside in the 55th minute, nobody could have conceived the impact of such a peripheral event.

Offside was the correct call, but it was close. Thinking he had sprung the trap, the Dutchman took one further stride and slashed at a shot that went forlornly wide.

That should have been the clue. The poor execution was evidence of pressure on a man who was still trying to win the game. That would not have been there if he was just trying to kill a few seconds.

In his panicked finish, Van Persie gave every impression of not having heard the whistle. He appeared to think the play was live; and at least he warranted benefit of the doubt, considering the ball came off the hoardings and back into the hands of goalkeeper Victor Valdes with barely a moment wasted.

So here is the key. For those recently landed from space or awakened from a vegetative state, the Nou Camp is a pretty big place. Noisy, too. Lots of singing, lots of Catalans with percussion, it is a huge cacophonous bowl of a stadium in which a lone chap with a whistle might struggle to make his presence felt, aurally.

So Busacca, who is not without experience in this area, should perhaps have taken these factors into consideration before doing anything rash: like sending off Van Persie and handing an unassailable advantage to Barcelona.

Not one bit. Instead, he reached the immediate and incontrovertible conclusion that Van Persie had, as they say in north London, cocked a deaf ?un, and brandished a yellow card. His second.

And that was it. Game over. It turns out it does not matter how many extra officials UEFA supply to stand around the pitch looking attentive if the man in the middle is a steaming great pillock with no feel for the occasion.

Busacca killed the game, and left it with only one imaginable outcome. Arsenal had little option but to attempt desperate survival with banks of four and five and no target

man and the game followed the most predictable course.

Barcelona attacked, in wave after wave, like the tribesmen in the film Zulu, and Arsenal cleared, regrouped and prepared to repel the next batch, abandoning all hope of scoring a second.

Arsenal are no Inter Milan, however ? the Italians survived here under Jose Mourinho with 10 men in last year's semi-final, although they were nursing a two goal advantage ? and Barcelona are too good to fail a second time. Parity was never going to be enough.

Heroic defending followed but, first, Xavi scored to level the aggregate, then Lionel Messi won the game from the spot.

No one can deny the best team have progressed; just that sometimes it would be nice if they were left to their own devices in doing so. Because they would get through, surely.

Instead, Arsenal were left smarting at the injustice, rather than acknowledging the wonder of Messi?s first goal or Barcelona?s sublime philosophy, which is like theirs, just better.

Both teams play what is termed the beautiful game, but Barcelona?s money and a fortuitous crop of exceptional youngsters have refined it, taking it to new levels. Barcelona have always instilled the finest habits and motives in young players, but the break for coach Josep Guardiola is that so many exceptionally gifted individuals have arrived at once, as they did for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United more than a decade ago.

This would make them hard to live with in any circumstances, but given all the rotten breaks that Arsenal endured last night it became impossible.

The loss of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to a freak finger injury in the first half was a setback, although his replacement Manuel Almunia acquitted himself well, and a steady accumulation of yellow cards in the first half, some more justified than others, made physical competition difficult.

Arsenal got one stroke of luck when Sergio Busquets headed into his own net for the equaliser but after that they were not level with 11 men in play for long enough, less than three minutes.

Nerves had no time to set in among the home players before Van Persie was dismissed and, after that, the belief inside the stadium was unshakeable. The locals knew it was a matter of time, and they were right.

It was left to Messi to underscore the difference between the teams with a first goal that makes it hard to begrudge Barcelona?s continued place in the competition, even if certain elements leave the bitterest taste.

Set up by Andres Iniesta ? and a fateful, unnecessary back-heel by Cesc Fabregas made blind in a dangerous area, a mistake so stupid it beggars belief ? Messi was left with only Almunia to beat. He drew the challenge, waited for the Spaniard to go to ground, and dinked the ball over him, before meeting it on the other side to volley home.

It was a moment of skill so audacious that one had to watch the replay to confirm that the eyes had seen correctly.

This is what should have been celebrated on Tuesday night; a unique talent, pushing the boundaries of possibility. Instead, we are in familiar territory. Where does UEFA get these officials from? They must grow them on farms.

[JoeC]

When I read this first, I thought "Meh, Wenger whining at something again, it's probably not much". Then I Youtube'd it, and he genuinely has a case.

This is going to sound a bit weird to letter-of-the-law type people, but I think what van Persie did (kick the ball away / have a shot, just barely after the whistle has gone for offside) is fully worthy of a yellow card. So long as he doesn't already have one. If he's not on a yellow card, give him one as a warning, that's the letter of the law, no problems there. In a match as big as that though, if he's already on a yellow, just have a word with him, it wasn't much after the whistle that he kicked the ball away, and just give the players a little leeway, use a bit of common sense :/

[MightyJordan]

Another article, this time from Goal.com

Every decision referee Massimo Busacca got wrong - and right - in Barcelona vs. Arsenal

Arsenal's defeat to Barcelona at the Nou Camp was not without incident, and referee Massimo Busacca was at the end of stinging criticism from Arsene Wenger and Robin van Persie following the match.

The north London club were furious with some of the decisions made by Busacca and Wenger believed his side would have progressed had it not been for the decision to send Van Persie off for time wasting.

But it is not just the Gunners who will feel hard done by the referee as Barcelona will claim they had a couple of key decisions go against them over the 90 minutes, so Goal.com UK takes a look back at the key incidents from the game in the Nou Camp to see whether Arsenal really got a raw deal from the referee or whether the decisions even out over the course of the match...

27th minute

Incident: Samir Nasri battles with Daniel Alves just inside the Barcelona half and the full-back puts in a stern challenge on the French midfielder and appears to get the man and the ball.

The ref's decision: No foul, play on.

Why is it controversial: Arsene Wenger was furious with the challenge which left Samir Nasri in agony on the floor. Alves did appear to get the ball but the challenge ended with what looked like a scissor tackle. It was not the first time the referee had let play continue when it appeared Barcelona had committed a foul.

The law: A direct free-kick is awarded when a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent, trips or attempts to trip an opponent or makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling.

Goal.com verdict: The correct decision - Arsenal were getting frustrated with many of the referee's decisions regarding tackling but he got this one spot on. Alves' challenge was physical and he did catch Samir Nasri with a scissoring motion, but the important aspect is he got plenty of the ball first.

33rd minute

Incident: Abou Diaby clatters into Lionel Messi just inside the Arsenal penalty area, right under the nose of the referee.

The ref's decision: No foul, play on.

Why was it controversial: Barcelona were pressing for a breakthrough against an Arsenal team standing firm against wave after wave of attacks and there is no doubt they should have had a penalty. The referee was standing right next to the incident and he should have seen Diaby tripping Messi inside the area.

The law: A direct free-kick is awarded when a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent, trips or attempts to trip an opponent or makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling.

If any of these offences are committed by a player inside their own penalty area then it's a penalty.

Goal.com verdict: The wrong decision - The referee was in a great position to see the foul and he made a huge mistake in not pointing to the spot. Arsenal got away with this decision.

45th minute

Incident: Tempers start to boil over as Jack Wilshere is fairly tackled on the halfway line, but the England midfielder seems to get his ankle caught and he stays down. The Barcelona players seem to take offence to this and as a result a lot of pushing and shoving occurs. Eric Abidal appears to put his hand around Van Persie's throat during the incident.

The ref's decision: The referee was right in the mix of the melee, trying to break up the players. He chose not to book anyone following the incident.

Why is it controversial: On another night Abidal would have been sent from the field. He clearly raised his hands to Van Persie and had the referee seen the incident Barcelona would have had to play the second half with 10 men.

The law: A player is sent off and shown the red card if they commit violent conduct, such as throwing a punch.

Goal.com verdict: The wrong decision - Abidal was very lucky to stay on the pitch. A few weeks ago Abou Diaby was sent off against Newcastle for exactly the same thing and no-one would have had any arguments had the French defender been given his marching orders.

46th minute

Incident: Van Persie and Alves come together deep inside the Barcelona half. The Arsenal man tries to get past his opponent, who goes down clutching his face.

The ref's decision: Foul, and booking for Van Persie.

Why is it controversial: Van Persie certainly catches Daniel Alves but the Brazilian full-back goes down very easily clutching his face. The Dutch striker appears to push Alves' shoulder and that is all he needs to make a meal of the challenge.

The law: A direct free-kick is awarded when a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent, trips or attempts to trip an opponent, makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling, jumps at an opponent, charges an opponent, strikes or attempts to strike an opponent or pushes an opponent.

A player can receive a yellow card for anything that can be deemed as violent conduct, such as throwing a punch, unsporting behaviour or persistent infringement of the laws, for example, a series of fouls.

Goal.com verdict: The correct decision - Van Persie was playing a dangerous game lifting his hands and pushing Daniel Alves but the full-back did make a meal of the contact and played a part in the Dutchman's yellow card. It was to prove crucial as the Gunners striker was controversially given his marching orders later in the match.

56th minute

Incident: Van Persie is played in behind the Barcelona defence but is marginally offside. He is not aware of the whistle going and fires a shot wide of the goal.

The ref's decision: The referee thinks the Dutchman is time wasting and shows him a second yellow card.

Why is it controversial: The decision upset Arsenal fans because replays showed that the time between the referee's whistle and Van Persie's shot was one second. The Dutch striker himself argued against the decision, saying he did not hear the whistle amongst the noise of 95,000 fans.

The law: The referee can give a yellow card to a player who delays the restart of play. A player can be sent off for receiving a second caution in the match.

Goal.com verdict: The wrong decision - The referee thinks he has gone by the letter of the law but this was an absolutely ridiculous decision. Not an ounce of common sense was displayed by the referee and the fact the time between the referee's whistle and the shot was one second rubs salt into the Arsenal wound. It was the key decision and the wrong one. No-one will ever know what the outcome would have been but it certainly had an effect on the course of the game as it is hard enough to play Pep Guardiola's side with 11 men, let alone 10.

71st minute

Incident: A tired looking challenge from Laurent Koscielny sends Pedro tumbling in the box.

The ref's decision: Penalty, no yellow card.

Why is it controversial: No real controversy surrounding this decision. Arsenal could have no complaints as Koscielny clearly brought down Pedro in the box. The referee could have produced a yellow card for the French defender, which would have led to him being sent off for a second caution and the Gunners going down to nine men, but the ref chose not to brandish a card.

The law: A direct free-kick is awarded when a player kicks or attempts to kick an opponent, trips or attempts to trip an opponent or makes contact with the opponent before touching the ball when tackling.

If any of these offences are committed by a player inside their own penalty area then it's a penalty.

A player can receive a yellow card for anything that can be deemed as unsporting behaviour or persistent infringement of the laws, for example, a series of fouls.

A player can be sent off for receiving a second caution in the match.

Goal.com verdict: The correct decision - Arsenal could have no complaints about the penalty and it would have been no surprise had the referee gone to his notebook again and sent Koscielny off for a second yellow. He had booked others for much less.

[Rappy Veteran]

[idioot]

similar to Mourinho's Inter stats there from last year. Only with the exception that they advanced and Jose was branded a genius.

[Valerus]

A spot-on article about the match, from, surprisingly the Daily Mail, of all places:

Bungling referee Massimo Busacca makes it easier for Barcelona masters

Brilliantly written. I would not have minded Barca going through. We were complete underdogs with a slight advantage from the first leg. But the ref's incompetence killed any sort of fun, back and forth game.

[Valerus]

Congrats to the Spurs who battled out to a 0-0 draw and who have advanced to the quarter finals.

[AbandonedTrolley]

Not a pretty match tonight, but showed that Spurs are quite able to defend when required. Sandro was immense tonight as were Gallas and Dawson. Well done Spurs, where were you against Wolves at the weekend?!?!

[Guest]

similar to Mourinho's Inter stats there from last year. Only with the exception that they advanced and Jose was branded a genius.

Because, unlike Arsenal, Inter are actually a solid defensive team.

Play to your strengths. Arsenal did not. Wenger has to take some blame in this loss.

[Rappy Veteran]

[Bassem]

^ LOL

[AbandonedTrolley]

Arsenal were so bad they made history

ARSENAL have become the first Champions League side to have NO shots at goal during a game.

That damning fact has emerged for Arsene Wenger's side following their 3-1 defeat at Barcelona on Tuesday.

Stats gurus Opta have kept detailed records for eight years and the Gunners have recorded a miserable new low.

An Opta spokesman said: "There have been 981 Champions League games since 2003-04 and Arsenal are the first of 1,962 sides not to manage a shot of any form in a match since then."

Source :laugh:

[mr.r9]

no card for this..

can't say that Barca didn't deserve to go through but the ref was awful, didn't leave us with any chance with that stupid red...

He should have been given a red + a 2-3 game ban, but nothing happened.

Barca does not deserve to go through in this manner. They could have won fairly, but no, they had to buy the referee.

Messi catches the ball with his arm, like his idol, but no yellow card. Alves acts, but no card. Van Persie gets chocked, but nothing is given to Abidal. Welsher gets fouled hard, his legs get twisted, but no yellow card given. To say that the referee was a "joke" is an understatement.

[AbandonedTrolley]

He should have been given a red + a 2-3 game ban, but nothing happened.

Barca does not deserve to go through in this manner. They could have won fairly, but no, they had to buy the referee.

Messi catches the ball with his arm, like his idol, but no yellow card. Alves acts, but no card. Van Persie gets chocked, but nothing is given to Abidal. Welsher gets fouled hard, his legs get twisted, but no yellow card given. To say that the referee was a "joke" is an understatement.

Bad refereeing goes on all the time, I'm a Spurs fan and last weekend in the Premiership we were lucky to get away with a lot of fortunate decisions. We should have been down to 10 men in the first 15 minutes and also Wolves had a perfectly fine goal disallowed. You just have to get on with it, it happens. If you play well enough you can still win. Fact remains even before the sending off, Arsenal were still played off the pitch.

[Bassem]

He should have been given a red + a 2-3 game ban, but nothing happened.

Barca does not deserve to go through in this manner. They could have won fairly, but no, they had to buy the referee.

Messi catches the ball with his arm, like his idol, but no yellow card. Alves acts, but no card. Van Persie gets chocked, but nothing is given to Abidal. Welsher gets fouled hard, his legs get twisted, but no yellow card given. To say that the referee was a "joke" is an understatement.

So they could've won fairly but decided to buy him instead? Sure, that makes sense. Is that why he also denied them a clear penalty? Oh, and the only reason Koscielny wasn't sent off is because the referee realized that Van Persie's sending off was harsh (not that it would've mattered anyway). Wilshere was also very aggressive, even after recieving a yellow card.

Not only is Barcelona the better team but they also deserved to win that night.