Coaches Simeone and Arteta put additional pressure on referee Siebert in the Champions League semi-final and left the question: What is the coaching zone for?
Daniel Siebert has achieved a feat. The German referee officiated the semi-final second leg of the Champions League between Arsenal and Atlético Madrid. And although the 1-0 (1-0) for the Londoners on Tuesday evening meant the end for Atlético, coach Diego Simeone refrained from criticizing the referee.
He wants himself “don’t hide behind anything”said the long-time Atlético coach, usually notorious for outspoken criticism of referee decisions.
Spanish press criticizes referee Siebert
On Wednesday morning, his son subtly took on the role of critic. Without further comment, Atlético professional Giuliano Simeone posted two screenshots on Instagram. One showed Arsenal’s Calafiori pushing him in the penalty area.
The other was the situation in which the German referee team had previously ruled out offside – possibly wrongly. Because of this offside decision, Calafiori’s push no longer played a role.
The Spanish press pounced on this and a few other scenes in which a penalty whistle in Madrid’s favor was within the realm of possibility. Siebert decided differently in each case – and was never clearly wrong.
Praise for Siebert from teacher Lutz Wagner
At least that’s how VAR Bastian Dankert assessed it and decided not to intervene. And Lutz Wagner also agreed. The DFB referee trainee praised the referee team for their management of the game. Siebert has that “very well done. He let the game run its course, but was physically present and had a good rapport with the players”said the DFB referee instructor at the sports show.
German referee Daniel Siebert and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka
Siebert was in action for the ninth time in the current Champions League season – as often as only the Slovenian Slavko Vincic. He handed out five yellow cards on Tuesday evening in London, which isn’t much for a game of this importance.
Yellow for both coaches
What is striking: three of these warnings were given to players outside the pitch: the two coaches and Arsenal’s substitute goalkeeper Kepa. They fell in the final stages as Arsenal dragged the game away and Atletico desperately fought for an equaliser.
Especially in this phase, but also before, both coaches lived up to their reputation as hot dogs. Arsenal’s Arteta and Atlético’s Simeone shouted and gestured constantly – preferably well outside the coaching zone.
Diego Simeone discusses with Daniel Siebert
The coaching zone in theory and practice
Official football rules state that this “technical zone” in front of the dugout can only be left in exceptional circumstances, for example if the referee allows medical staff to treat a player on the field.
On Tuesday evening in London, however, it was an exceptional case in the final phase when Arteta in particular was within the coaching zone. He ran along the sidelines as if spurred on, giving commands throughout.
Simeone harasses Arsenal’s sporting director
Lutz Wagner had the best view of the coaches’ behavior from the stands. He sees leaving the coaching zone as less serious. “The more important question is how sporty the coaches are. Do they cheer on their own players? Or do they want to influence opponents or the referee?”
DFB referee instructor Lutz Wagner in the Lower Saxony Stadium in Hanover
Arteta and Simeone are cross-border here. Arsenal coach Arteta repeatedly came very close to the players during throw-ins and Simeone verbally attacked Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta in stoppage time. The Italian also gestured that he and Simeone know each other well from their time together at Atlético.
Wagner also confirmed that the team of referees, especially the fourth official Tobias Stieler, had a good demeanor when dealing with the coaches. “They stopped both of them with the yellow cards”said Wagner. When assessing, you always have to take into account the importance of the game.
Demands at Atlético have increased
The semi-final exit could have consequences, especially for Simeone. Simeone’s farewell after 15 years as a coach is always discussed.
But he was at peace with himself, said the 56-year-old. Nobody would have expected them to reach the semi-finals. “And we were able to keep up with a team that had incredible power.” What Arteta has built at Arsenal is “Craziness”.
Additional pressure on the referees
Coaches like Arteta and Simeone put additional pressure on the referees with their behavior. This fits what Bundesliga referee Deniz Aytekin said in a Stern interview. Due to the development of football, the stress level has increased “permanently at the limit”. There is “Soon there will be no more rest periods at all.”
Wagner agrees “100 percent” with reference to new tasks. For example, the referees now have to count down the time with hand signals if the goalkeeper holds the ball in his hand for longer. Starting with the World Cup, this should also happen for throw-ins. “So even in the quiet phases they have to pay attention to administrative matters.”said Wagner
In his interview, Aytekin also criticized the lack of respect towards the referees. At least on this point, Diego Simeone hit the right note this time.
