I thought it was Nani's own fault. He went to ground and made out he was hurt despite him having the foot up. He gave the ref time to think about it. If he'd have jumped up straight away he'd have probably only got a yellow. It brings back the arguement for a sin bin, a 10 minute sending off would have been fair. It was dangerous but not intentional.
There's a massive difference between the Torres kick and the Nani one. Torres was looking exactly where he was going and it looks far more intentional, as his leg went up very late. As the replays of Nani's showed, he had his eyes on the ball, and his leg was raised for a long time, in an attempt to control the ball. - at which point he then unluckily caught the RM player. Yes it was as a dangerous height, but a red was very harsh. There are high challenges on a regular basis, far worse than that, with all considered.
Back to the League for United then, 6 more points for the Mancs and save the biggest upset ever in Munich and we can celebrate St Wunuffincks Day. I was thinking about making a cake with plenty of Tiers and an empty trophy cabinet on the top.
Players frequently raise their legs above waist height- remember Rooney's overhead kick v City, di Canio's goal, Yeboah's volley- in fact many of the most memorable acrobatic goals in recent times. Raising your leg isn't automatically dangerous. One step nearer a non-contact sport.
I just think that if that's the way the game is going, we will all be watching some anodyne version of it fairly soon. It's a natural reaction to go for the ball - especially in an apparent open space, like that. No player is going to think "oh, I'd better not raise my leg in case an opposition player, that I can't even see, might come in for it" Bloody ridiculous, IMO.
They are all shots on goal...many times a player gets kicked with an air shot whilst missing the ball...rarely is that a booking and rightly so..
His studs were raised. By the letter of the law he walks. Ade did the same against the goons earlier in the season and he caught the guy in the air, no way have could have done any damage based on the laws of physics but he still had to walk. It ruined the game. In both cases a sin-bin would have been a more sensible solution.
That picture of United players ganging up on the ref showed what United have been getting away with for many,many years.....and who teaches them this?.....why the manager of course! Not much different from Revie's Leeds!!!! I admired Busby,but Fergie can take a running jump!
Somebody ought to send that to Platini. I'm sure he will quickly find a convenient carpet to sweep it under!..
Varane looked a bit dodgy in the first leg, but he was excellent tonight. There were plenty of balls into the Real box which he got to first, otherwise I think Utd could have beaten them regardless of the ref's intervention.
Varane has been absolute class for his last few games, if he keeps progressing the way he has he will become the best defender in Europe. EDIT........very soon!
Just been walking home listening to TalkShite until I got bored with the sob stories of a string of ManU supporters, non of which were (of course) remotely from anywhere near Manchester. It was entertaining for a while. I don't see a similar amount of time being given to supporters of teams who get decisions given against them when they play ManU. Plus their manager has to go on air and/or to the press conference or get fined. So its kind of refreshing when it happens to ManU! The other point is that I didn't see the incident but from the way people were going on I was sure it was going to be a clear cut wrong decision, but now I see it I don't think it's clear cut at all, and I am not *surprised* about the red card being given for that challenge (even though I think the decision is wrong). I also understand that Real had a possible good goal disallowed. Does that not count then? I mean only the decisions that go against ManU need be disputed?