A REFEREE Luka Modric has labelled a “disaster” has been put in charge of Real Madrid’s second-leg clash against Chelsea.
Daniele Orsato will be the official at Stamford Bridge tomorrow for the huge Champions League quarter-final game.
Madrid hold a two goal lead after beating Chelsea at the Bernabeu and will be looking to get the job done.
But the Mail report there is “panic” from Madrid at the decision to appoint Orsato to the role given club grievances with him before.
Modric has been the most critical of the Italian ref after taking issue with his officiating in last year’s World Cup semi-final between Croatia and Argentina.
The Croatian midfielder felt that his country should have been given a corner shortly before Argentina went up the other end and won a penalty which Modric also thought was unjust.
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The Real Madrid star, 37, said: “It’s a key moment in the game, he doesn’t give us a corner and he whistles a penalty, which wasn’t for me, because he shoots and collides with our goalkeeper.
“I can’t believe he whistled that penalty. That changes the game.
“I never talk about referees, but today it’s impossible not to talk. He’s one of the worst I know.
“Not only because of today’s game. He’s whistled me many times and I never have a good memory of him. He’s a disaster.”
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Orsato also wound up Real Madrid when he officiated their first-leg last 16 Champions League defeat in 2020.
Sergio Ramos was sent off late on for dragging back Gabriel Jesus and City won a penalty when Dani Carvajal took down Sergio Ramos.
But Orsato was also in charge of Real Madrid’s dramatic extra-time win over Manchester City in last year’s Champions League’s semi-finals and awarded them a penalty.
In total the ref has officiated seven Madrid games with Los Blancos winning three and losing four.
The Spanish club will be favourites for the game regardless of the referee with struggling Chelsea without a win in six.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
