Real Madrid supporters are praying to witness a fighting spirit lead Los Blancos to Wembley at the Camp Nou. Barcelona fans are comfortably hoping to see their team finish the business in El Clasico IV. And neutrals are just waiting to be treated with pure football and entertainment... at last!
But among the three different groups of fans anticipating Tuesday’s 2011 UEFA Champions League showdown, the fear of coming across yet another ugly transformation of El Clasico remains a possibility that pretty much exists. So how must the news of Frank de Bleeckere’s appointment as the referee for the Barcelona vs Real Madrid match be welcomed?
There is quite a lot of history between the Belgium man, Jose Mourinho, Barcelona and Real Madrid as Live Soccer TV can confirm through facts. The opportunity is here for you to review a few important points before attempting to make accurate predictions about what to expect during Barcelona vs Real Madrid. Will there be more heated fights and controversies or not?
There are 10 things you must know on the one that will perhaps end up being the most influential man at the Camp Nou on May 3—more than Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or even Xavi. Live Soccer TV is talking about referee Frank de Bleeckere.
1) Frank de Bleeckere officiated last season’s UEFA Champions League semi-finals match between Barcelona and Internazionale as Jose Mourinho was the coach of the Nerazzurri. The Belgium referee infamously sent off Inter’s Thiago Motta as television replays confirmed that Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets had apparently simulated the foul which led to Bleeckere’s crucial decision.
2) Frank de Bleeckere has officiated 8 matches involving either Barcelona or Real Madrid.
3) Frank de Bleeckere was in charge of the Chelsea vs Barcelona match in the group stages of the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League campaign. The Blues, then managed by Jose Mourinho, went on to win the match 1-0 with Frank Lampard being the only yellow carded Chelsea player.
Meanwhile, Barcelona picked up three bookings. Remarkably, the match was rather not heated despite the previous spats that had happened between both sides in previous meetings.
4) Real Madrid suffered defeat in their last 2 matches under referee Frank de Bleeckere. In March 2009, Los Blancos lost 4-0 to Liverpool in the Round of 16 before going down 3-2 at home to AC Milan in the group stages of last season’s UEFA Champions League tournament. Both games were officiated by Frank de Bleeckere.
5) Frank de Bleeckere has flashed out 164 yellow cards and 7 red cards in 47 UEFA Champions League matches according to Wikipedia.
Will events at the Camp Nou during Barcelona vs Real Madrid prevent referee Frank de Bleeckere from keeping his cards in his pocket?
