Puerta

Puerta

For this match the players were all called Puerta in honour of the late Antonio Puerta. Confusing for the television commentator, but not for Konrad Plautz, who had no difficulty recognizing for instance Inzaghi Puerta and Poulsen Puerta, I really enjoyed the fight these two had and you could say Inzaghi came out as the winner. He scored and won the match, but his playing on the edge of off-side, didn't work out. Plautz' assistant decided against him every time. Protesting didn't help. everyone knows Inzaghi always protests. Even if he is right.

Puerta

Plautz is a no-nonsense referee, he is cool and leaves his facial expressions and emotions at home to use in one of his plays. He was severe - and that was exactly what the match needed, especially in the second half - but never childish. He is quick in his decisions and I saw only one or two little mistakes. But what is one mistake in a whole match... The only thing that wasn't clear to me, was his judgments at moments when two players jumped for a header and both fell. Since most of the time no one protested, he was probably right there as well.

Puerta

Gattuso, not the gentlest of players, shook Plautz' hand when he had to leave the field for what probably was a mild concussion. This says it all. Plautz got the players' respect.

Puerta

The death of Sevilla player Antonio Puerta loomed like a dark cloud over the match. Milan even wanted to forfeit the match, but Sevilla wanted to go on. Recently I saw a documentary in which the sudden death of more then ten(!) football players was linked to the use of a certain pain killer that made it possible for them to play while injured.
Whatever the cause, it can't just be ignored.