Referee Analysis: UEFA Europa League 2015/2016 - Liverpool - Manchester United: Carlos Velasco Carballo (10th March)

UEL 2015/2016 – 10.03.2016 21:05 CET – Round of 16, 1st leg

Liverpool (LIV) 2 - 0 Manchester United (MUT)

Ref: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP) 8.5

AR1: Roberto Alonso Fernandez (ESP) 8.4

AR2: Juan Carlos Yuste Jimenez (ESP) 8.4

AAR1: Jesus Gil Manzano (ESP) 8.4

AAR2: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (ESP) 8.5

4th: Angel Nevado Rodriguez (ESP) 8.4

Blog reporter: Giovanni (ITA)

Anfield Road, Liverpool. The Stadium is booked solid to assist to the first British Derby of all times played in an Europa League knockout phase.

The climate is of the best, the frame of public is marvelous and the atmosphere into the field is monstrously fantastic with a fascinating intensity since the first minutes of the game. The match has been umpired by Carlos Velasco Carballo the 44 year-old engineer from Madrid.

The approach to the match has been sensational, his physical condition has been outstanding and it’s certainly perfect when you have to officiate a match between two English teams in a very difficult pitch atmosphere

At minute number 1 Carballo had immediately to show the first yellow card of the match to #14 (LIV) guilty to have committed a reckless foul on #28 (MUT)

At 7’ he saw very well a foul by #18 (LIV) on #30 (MUT), he decided not to warn the Spanish left back. Correct for me.

At 18’ the crucial moment that decided the match. Tactical foul by #7 (MUT) inside the penalty area on #2 (LIV). He waited a call from the AAR2 and after having had it he whistled a penalty and showed the yellow card for #7 (MUT) then. Perfect interpretation of the law, very good choice and great teamwork co-operation.

At 34’ foul of #6 (LIV) on #27 (MUT) and at 36’ foul of #18 (LIV) on #39 (MUT) – they both were perfectly judged.

At 41’ foul of #6 (LIV) on #9 (MUT). Did he whistle? Nope, he let the game go on by playing advantage after having seen the ball roll out he interrupted the game and booked #6 (LIV) guilty to have committed a tactical foul. Perfect interpretation of the LOTG again.

At 44’ #39 (MUT) committed a foul play on #18 (LIV). Good yellow card.

The second half immediately started with a high intensity and there might have been the first and only mistake of his match. Minute number 47’ #5 (MUT) on #14 (LIV). He whistled the foul but he might have missed to warn the Manchester United player.

Second finesses of his match. At 49’ #7 (MUT) on #10 (LIV) no foul for the referee but simulation and yellow card for the Brazilian player. The AAR1 might have helped the referee. Good co-op again.

At 53’ the AR2 got involved with an easy flag on #7 (MUT).

At 59’ correct yellow card for #27 (MUT) for a foul committed on #2 (LIV).

At 62’ and 69’ great flags on #9 (MUT) and on #7 (MUT) – both good calls.

Finally also the AR1 at 82’ made his appearance with an easy peasy call on #10 (LIV).

He displayed an incredible performance and fortunately we saw at last who is the real Carlos Velasco Carballo. After two difficult seasons, and in these months he also announced his retirement after EURO 2016, he thankfully showed us that this match could not have been further from Fortaleza, in Brazil - Colombia.

Great job and congratulations to the whole team!