4 November 2021
21:00 CET - Budapest (Ferencváros Stadion)
Ferencvárosi Torna Club (HUN) - Celtic FC (SCO) | Group G
Referee: Fabio Verissimo (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rui Teixeira (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Pedro Ribeiro (POR)
Fourth Official: André Narciso (POR)
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins (POR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Luis Godinho (POR)
UEFA Referee Observer: Stefano Podeschi (SMR)
UEFA Delegate: Armen Minasyan (ARM)
I am on the naughty step for commenting on how handsome this referee is! The look I got for replying No when asked if I have no shame was a classic! Some great timing on his part as he dropped the match coin seconds after my defiant no! That was actually quite funny, he flicked the coin up and as he went to catch it it just bounced off his hand onto the floor. Credit to him for just styling it out!
Onto the game. Thoroughly enjoyable game to watch. Both teams battling it out cleanly and some lovely football on display. Although reasonable evenly matched Celtic were faster in every respect than Fradi. Their 2nd goal was a great example of a how to carry out a speedy counter attack effectively. Fradi players were still looking on in disbelief at their shot rebounding back off of the goal post and Celtic had shot up the other end and scored! The difference in quality between the teams and the leagues showed and Celtic were worthy winners. Goal of the match though was a beauty from Uzuni on 86 mins to make it 2-3. Absolute cracker of a goal.
As to the referee - barely saw him. Due to the excellent conduct of both teams he was able to stand back and let the game flow. There were some fouls and he dealt with them quietly, consistently and efficiently. Only 2 bookings Welsh for Celtic for an accidental catch to a Fradi players face, no malice in it but it was reckless and Samy Mmaee for dissent right at the end of the game on 90+1. He and his team can be happy with their input into the game.
There were a few salty comments his way from the Fradi faithful but nothing in comparison to the grief they were giving their own players for not following their expert instructions from the stands!
Just to add - credit to Celtic & team ref who stood by patiently and very respectfully when Fradi & the supporters sang himnusz pre-match just ahead of kick off. Hungary is mainly a Catholic country, All Saints Day was on Monday & on 4th Nov 23rd psalm is read for the dead. A shepherd tifo was held high during the national anthem to signify this.