ExWHUEmployee was understandably pleased with the comeback win last night, but felt the referee’s poor performance hindered what could have been a much bigger goal margin.
He made some inexplicable decisions, particularly when just before half-time Paqueta was bundled to the floor and he looked to blow for a foul, but then suddenly waved play-on.
That caused much confusion amongst players and fans, which AZ took full advantage of., when Reijnders fired a fierce shot towards the bottom corner which somehow went in – giving AZ the lead and shocking the London Stadium.
“I felt the referee really affected our momentum in the first half,” said Ex after the game. “It felt like we were playing against 12 men. Their time wasting also frustrated us, but we did well to come away with the win.
“We should rest players this weekend and go into next Thursday full of confidence about getting to the final! What an atmosphere too and well done to the club and fans for creating a special night.”
Got to agree with Ex on all of that but let’s remember the job is only half done at this stage and there will be a really tough game in Hollsnd
As regards the Turkish referee, apparently it was the biggest game he had ever officiated in. You would have thought that UEFA would have appointed more seasoned officials for such an important game.
To me it is now proven that UEFA use the Conference League to blood novice European referees. Time and again these guys show they are not up to such games and make mistake after mistake. Would a premier referee allow such blatant time wasting as was shown by Alkmaar, allowing the continual fouling of Antonio,allow an obvious foul on Paqueta right in front of himself and so it goes on.
I agree with ex the referee was poor. As for the game it was another special night at the London stadium. As ex said it was another incredible atmosphere following on from the Manchester United game which I think was the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced at the London stadium.
Moyes and the team gave the opposition too much respect. We didn’t push up on the defenders and keeper when they were passing it around at the back and that low tempo killed the atmosphere around the stadium until we got the penalty. Talksport said the first half was diabolical and it was. It was a semi final and there was no urgency at all. I know its two legs but Christ, we do need a kick up the backside to get going
Load of rubbish, hardly a foul on Paquetta he went down like a sniper had him. We had 15 seconds to deal with it. Poor defending,Paquetta, Kehrer,Soucek and Areola.
The ref was poor in the first half but we got the decisions in the 2nd.
Of course the ECL is used to blood the officials, it only makes sense.