English referee Michael Oliver awarded Club Brugge a penalty kick against Fiorentina, while Italian officials led by Marco Guida validated an Ayoub El Kaabi goal against Aston Villa in the Conference League semis.
The first legs of the Conference League semis are being played tonight, Thursday, May 2. Fiorentina hosts Club Brugge at the Stadio Franchi, while Aston Villa meet Olympiakos at Villa Park.
An English referee, Michael Oliver, has been appointed for the Fiorentina game, while the Italian Marco Guida oversees Aston Villa-Olympiakos. Both officials were in the spotlight in the first half in Florence and Birmingham.
Oliver gave a penalty kick to Club Brugge against Fiorentina after a VAR check. The Tuscans’ captain, Cristiano Biraghi, was punished for a handball inside the box, which Oliver reviewed on the pitchside monitor. The ball had slightly been deflected before Biraghi’s touch, but it was not enough to avoid a penalty for the Belgians.
Ex-Serie A referee Giampaolo Calvarese told Gianluca Di Marzio that Oliver’s decision was correct as Biraghi’s arm was excessively outstretched.
Thiago levels for 10-man Brugge from an extremely tight angle 💪
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK#UECL pic.twitter.com/ARbgwllUO5
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 2, 2024
Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika was sent off in the second half after receiving two yellow cards in three minutes, but his teammates levelled the score shortly afterwards.
After VAR review, Olympiacos take the lead at Villa Park 😳
Ayoub El Kaabi with a great finish!#UECL
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/S5VPGQc716
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 2, 2024
In the meantime, in Birmingham, Guida and VAR official Paolo Valeri, considered the best VAR referee in Italy, validated El Kaabi’s opening goal at Villa Park after a silent check that said the Morocco international was onside.
In the second half, Guida awarded Olympiakos a penalty following a clear handball from Douglas Luiz. El Kaabi once again converted the spot-kick, scoring a hat-trick. Aston Villa also received a penalty kick at minute 81 when Jhon Duran was fouled by David Carmo, but Douglas Luiz missed it.
The Douglas Luiz handball which resulted in the penalty scored by Olympiacos…#UECL
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bBgkRGJkFs
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 2, 2024
You can follow Fiorentina, Roma and Atalanta‘s European semifinals on the Football Italia LIVEBLOG.