I present you with the following...Guardian:
"72 mins: Chelsea substitution: Drogba off - and he shakes his head in dismay at that decision - and Belletti on. So Hiddink removes his most effective weapon and declares his intention to hold on for the 1-0 against 10 men? It would appear so."
"(Final thoughts): tactical genius Guss Hiddink's masterplan was to take off his most effective striker, and replace him with a defensive midfielder, against 10 men. "
"67 mins: RED CARD FOR ABIDAL Drogba flicked on a long ball, Anelka set off in pursuit and Abidal collided with him, preventing him from entering the box. Not sure how intentional that was, or even if the contact was sufficient to send Anelka crumpling. The replay suggested Anelka's trailing foot connected with Abidal's accidentally. Harsh on Abidal."
Soccernet:
"67'Everyone seems to agree that was harsh. Toure may well have got across before Anelka got onto the end of his touch anyway. Still, Barca are down to ten and need a goal.
66'Abidal sees red after Anelka takes the ball from a Drogba flilck on. He may have inadvertently
clipped Anelka's heels but there didn't look much contact.""(Post-whistle): 98'Drogba's behaviour there was utterly disgraceful, pushing away security guards to try and get at the referee. Tell you what Didier, it wouldn't have mattered had you not slotted that brilliant chance in the second half. I hope they throw the book at him."
"(Post-whistle): Chelsea will point to two decent penalty shouts, but they had enough chances to win it during the game."
Sky Sports:
"66 Anelka falls to the ground after trying to race away from Abidal in order to reach Drogba's flick-on. The referee awards a free-kick to Chelsea and decides to send-off the Barcelona defender. It looks like a slightly harsh decision from the official."
London Times:
"95 mins: Ballack booked for desperate and ridiculous penalty appeal. "
I'm not saying that Chelsea didn't get denied at least one clear-cut penalty (Pique's handball in the 82nd minute), but those penalty claims they did have came after Abidal's very questionable sending off. When you're playing against a 10-man side, it's only natural that you will produce more opportunities than otherwise, and that there is a higher probability of a penalty being called or asked for. Considering that Barcelona was hard done by to go down a man to begin with, I'd proffer that the officiating was equally bad going both ways, and that it comes out in the wash. Ultimately, the match came down to two incredible goals, and Drogba's horrifying miss in the 52nd minute.
What do you think?
Abidal should have been sent off earlier in one of the penalty shouts when he CLEARLY brought Drogba down in the box.
ReplyDeleteThe other penalty shout was when Malouda was brought down, for which a free kick was given, but if you look at it, they were clearly both in the penalty area when it happened. Both of these before Abidal was sent off. Your argument doesn't hold.
Thanks for writing, Matt. I'll agree with you on the Malouda call -- it should have been a penalty. The Abidal tug on Drogba, however, was clearly exacerbated by the latter's usual histrionics and did not merit a call.
ReplyDeleteLet us also not forget that there was a clear uncalled penalty in the first leg, and that Ballack could have been sent off.
In the end, I still think it comes out in the wash, that both sides could have and should have done better with the chances they had. Ultimately, Barcelona's finish is what mattered.
I'm afraid there was no question as to whether the shirt tug was a clear cut penalty, it was, and to try and oppose that is downright ridiculous, as it was not only a shirt tug, but also a deliberate tangle of legs. I am the first to admit, Drogba wouldv'e been more at home on the stage, but he did try to stay on his feet whilst being tugged back, and it was only as his feet were caught that he eventually fell to the ground, be it dramatically or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAbd is this was a last man offence, this should have been a definite sending off.
Also, Toure's handball in the 95th minute was most definitely ANOTHER clear penalty, whether he turned his back or not, he kept one arm down and flung another straight out as he spun, which is definitely inexcuseable.
Although i do also agree that Alex's poor challenge in the first leg should have resulted in a red card.