Barcelona vs Atletico

"Barcelona" showed quality football in the match with "Atletico" and deservedly won 3 points. The score 1:0 does not reflect the course of the match and the advantage that the "blue and garnet" had over the opponent. The result could have been more convincing, not only if the "Catalans" were more active at the "Madrid" goal, but also the referees Sánchez Martínez (main) and Hernández Hernández (VAR) as prescribed in the rules, and not as they prefer.

In certain fan circles, it is customary to turn a blind eye to almost any referee's mistakes, especially when the home team does not play the best football, or, on the contrary, plays well and wins. In the first case, they say, they lost not because of the referee's mistakes, but because of their own fault, and in the second case, it is somehow out of hand to focus attention on the negative when the result of the match is positive. However, this logic is very beneficial to the referees, because it turns out that they can almost always be wrong, and this is normal, but the focus is shifted to the performance of football players and the decisions of coaches.

Rules - there are rules, and they must always be followed, regardless of the status of the match, the minute of the match, the quality of the football, the phase of the moon, the inflation rate in the country and whether the referee forgot to turn off the iron at home or not. Otherwise, it turns out that each referee has the right to his own personal vision of how he should work, and the teams on the field should somehow inexplicably deserve quality refereeing. And let's say Barcelona played against Rayo Vallecano badly, so there is no reason to give them a penalty even for 100% fouls in the penalty area, otherwise they will score a goal and "undeservedly" take 3 points. Does it work?

In this light, the Negreira case factor is also interesting. Knowing how strange things are sometimes done in Spain, it is quite easy to imagine how a number of judges, especially those whose names appear in this proceeding, deliberately accuse Barcelona's opponents in order to prove their impartiality. Delusional, but in the spirit of what has been happening in Spanish football for more than a dozen years. And no brews will save from this, while people make decisions and can simply close their eyes to what the cameras show, if the reality does not suit them. And who will punish them? The refereeing committee? We all know their terrible punishment - either they will spread their hands, or they will throw a bone to the crowd and someone will be demonstratively removed for as much as 1 match, and then all over again. Real punishments occur only in exceptional cases, once every five years.

Here, arbitrators are not particularly afraid to make mistakes, because the responsibility is minimal. After that, they still have the audacity to complain about the pressure of the public - the only mechanism that keeps the referee at least within the limits of adequate behavior, albeit very wide.

Whether they make "mistakes" on purpose or on purpose is almost impossible to determine, however, the low quality of the work of the Spanish referees is obvious, and it is not visible that anyone is going to correct the situation.

Against Atletico, Sanchez Martinez and Hernandez Hernandez pulled off a trick we've seen a dozen times over the past 1.5 seasons.

At first, the obvious penalty is not just not awarded, and even no VAR reviews take place, no one has any questions, and the referee is not called to the monitor. There is no reason. You'd think Hermoso didn't play the ball and stepped on Felix's leg when Joao was a few meters away from Khmara's goal and could have scored a goal.

And in addition, everyone likes "if there is no ball nearby, then there is no foul." You can, in general, do whatever you want with a Barcelona player, even if he takes an active part in the attack, the main thing is that he is without the ball, and that's it - an instant amnesty. This time, for variety, Felix was put on the ground, and not, as usual, Lewandowski. It's not a violation, it's not a yellow, then you can play.

Well, the "funny" episode is a direct breakdown of the "Blaugrana" attack by Sanchez Martinez. The referee, having time and the opportunity to maneuver, is not even going to leave Gundogan's line of motion, and simply blocks, occasionally even touching the ball, which can be seen on the big replay. As a result, Ilkay loses the ball and it is immediately picked up by "Atletico", starting their attack, and the referee simply spreads his hands - he is of no use here, you can play. Of course you can, you won't give yourself a yellow or red one. Sanchez Martinez not only chose a bad position, but also did not whistle the controversial ball, pretending that he did not touch it. Double mistake.

Author: GEximius