Well done (written by Dragan N.)

Match

Real Madrid took revenge on Lyon for all problems in the last decade with 4 goals in the net of the French team, in this boring and one-way match that was expected to be one of the most intriguing.. But, Remi Garde's team came to "Bernabeu" with an extremely defensive strategy, which was a suicidal option against brilliant Mourinho's guys. Real couldn't have an easier win thanks to Lyon's bad performance. Benzema, Kedira, Ozil and Ramos scored the goals, and the margin could have been bigger.

Cakir

Only several months after he was promoted to the Elite Category, Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir is one of the favourites of the UEFA (and also FIFA) Referee Committees. Just look at his palmarès in the last few months: 5 matches at U-20 World Cup! So, his appointment for Tuesday's Match of the Day wasn't a surprise at all. Although the game was not very demanding or difficult, the 35-year old prospect again showed with his performance that he is on the way to EURO 2012, and to the biggest continental and world football stage of the next period.

Perfomance

He was greatly supported by his assistents, especially by young Emre Eyisoy, who replaced Cakir's usual associate Ongun. Mr Eyisoy was in good position precisely to signalize offside when Gomis found the Real's net in 28th minute (it was 1-0 for the Spaniars at the moment), and especially when Kaka scored in 70th minute (it was 3-0 and the winner was already known). However, TV replays showed that not only Kaka was in irregular position while scoring, but also Benzema one or two seconds earlier, which the assistant didn't notice. It is good that this little miss didn't make damage to his and Cakir's general performance. The most interesting moment happened in the 40th minute, when the Turkish referee showed a yellow card to Alonso. Real's player shot prematurely from a free-kick, without the referee's whistle, although he didn't signal earlier that Alonso had to wait. But Cakir was with his back to the ball and already started to measure the distance for the wall, which could have been a sign for Alonso. My personal impression is that other and more experienced referees would have let the game continue, without a sanction for the Spanish player.
If I have to find something that I didn't like too much about Cakir, it is his big self-confidence. His knowledge is not suspicious, his style and capability also, but I think that according to the way he wants to show the players his authority, it is obvious that he may have jumped some stairs in his speedy progress to the highest levels.. Luckily for him, it didn't make him problems in the important matches he has recently officiated.