Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven have been warned that they could be set for a miserable experience in the Champions League this evening, thanks to the referee appointed for the game.
Journalist Aad de Mos covers the game today and how the appointment of German referee Tobias Stieler could disappoint everyone involved.
Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven clash in the final group game of their Champions’ League group fixtures this evening, with the Dutch side looking to ensure they finish second and qualify.
Arsenal have already secured their place in the next round, but PSV sit on eight points in second, just three ahead of Lens but with a better goal difference.
Still, they need at least a point to ensure there is no tension involved so will be hoping to take advantage of the fact their opponents are already through and focused on a Premier League title race.
“UEFA knows exactly which matches are important,” he said.
“The big boys like Makkelie get Newcastle–Milan. He’s (Stieler) the third or fourth choice in Germany, congratulations on the worst German referee.
“You can experience a lot of misery from this match. Losing is annoying, also with a view to the match against AZ. Every loss you take with you to the next match.”
Of course, it’s always completely unfair to judge a referee before he’s actually refereed a game and that remains the case here.
De Mos’ stance presumably comes from the fact that Stieler was in charge of Feyenoord’s clash with Lazio earlier this year, which saw eight yellow cards and a red card handed out by the German.
Those sort of numbers indicate a referee losing control of things and it seems De Mos is fearful of a repeat in Arsenal vs Feyenoord, something he presumably thinks wouldn’t benefit the latter.
