13 December 2002, second round of the round of 32 knockout round of the UEFA Cup.

Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Unlike football clubs in England, football clubs in Italy do not have their own stadiums. Italian law does not allow private ownership of stadiums, so Italian football clubs rent government stadiums.

Just like the current Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

This is a stadium shared by Roma and Lazio. It is Roma and Lazio who are on loan at the stadium of the City of Rome. It's not their club's own stadium.

The number of people in the stadium is small. The stadium can accommodate 100,000 people, with 80,000 seats and more than 20,000 standing seats. It's a big stadium in European football, but there aren't many fans here today.

Maybe it's because the time hasn't come yet, anyway, there are less than 20,000 fans in attendance.

Such a large stadium looks empty. Most of the fans gathered in the North Stand. In the Stadio Olimpic, the South Stand is a stander for Roma's fanatical fans, while the North Stand is a stand for Lazio fans.

"Well, it's nothing."

The people who came to officiate the game with Jack were all English referees. As Jack began officiating European matches, Jack also needed to assemble his own team of referees. This will allow for better enforcement of these games.

The fourth referee of the match was another international referee in England, Mike Brown. Riley. The two are old acquaintances, and they also have a good relationship in English football.

"No problem."

Check the pitch before the game. The job is that of an assistant referee, and Jack as the referee only needs to hear their report. Hence Jack and Mike. Riley stood there with two men, while the assistant referee went to check both goals.

"But this stadium is broken enough."

Michael. Muraki. Has worked with Jack for several games. Every time Jack officiates a Champions League match, the referee team will choose Michael. Muraki.

Michael. Muraki stepped on the turf of the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Very disdainful.

"It's not my own, and of course I won't do my best."

Jack is also very disgusted with this broken court. Although there is some pride in English football. But this decade was the world of Italian football. Otherwise, Serie A would not have the title of a small World Cup.

What's more, when the Premier League began to bring in foreign aid seven or eight years ago, it was all about introducing players from Serie A. Those Serie A players who are over 30 years old are still majestic after coming to the Premier League. Originally, I came to retire, but the performance was quite outstanding.

At that time, in the hearts of English football, there was envy, jealousy and hatred for Serie A.

Although the current Premier League does not surpass Serie A, it is not as fearful as it was a few years ago. Because now it's completely different. From looking up seven or eight years ago, I don't have that kind of thought now. A referee like Jack is already joking in Serie A.

"Definitely. Look. This quality of turf. ”

Mike. Riley stood next to Jack and also commented on the pitch wantonly. As a fairly well-known course in Italy, the turf of the Stadio Olimpico in Rome is really poor and very poorly maintained.

"There are fewer fans."

"yes. It looks like it's less than 20,000 people, and it's also a League Cup knockout round. While there isn't much suspense, there are too few fans. ”

"Serie A is going to decline."

Several people were amazed by Lazio's pitch and attendance. Mike. Riley finally sighed like this. Actually, it's not just Mike. Riley, even Jack was surprised.

This is a League Cup match for a Serie A powerhouse.

That's a little bit of a person, it's really bad. It's not even as hot as League One. Even in a game like the English League Cup, the attendance is not so bad.

There are only a few people.

Although Serie A is still the strongest league in European football today. But Jack is also in favor of Mike. Riley's words. Looking at the number of fans on the scene, this Serie A is really going to decline.

The decline of a league is always symptomatic. As the saying goes, where there is a peak, there is a bottom, and Serie A has been strong for more than ten years. But looking at the current situation, it is also time to decline.

"Whatever? After the game, I invited everyone to drink. ”

"Jack, is this what you said?"

"Yes."

Because there is no suspense in the game. Hence Jack and Mike. Riley, Michael. Muraki they are very relaxed. Because the more such a game, the less angry it is. There is no difficulty in enforcing the game.

Usual times. Referees, of course, like to enforce games like this. Plain and bland, without any waves. Unless it's the high-profile game. Referees want to be able to highlight themselves.

But if there is a lot of controversy in the general game, then the referee must be tired.

So usually the referee likes this kind of game that is not a problem. So before the game, it was quite easy for a few people to chat.

"Jack, it's almost a game."

"Okay, let's prepare."

…………

Lazio didn't seem to care about the game at all, with a large number of key players missing from the starting line-up. Of course, Jack can understand it, because even Jack would choose it that way.

3-1 away.

The lead is too big. Even if this game is lost 0-2, it is Lazio who will advance in the end. Because Lazio is confident about this game, there is no problem. And now Lazio have a lot of problems in the league, and it's time to make some rotations.

"Hello everyone, this is the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The knockout round of 32 of the UEFA Cup is coming soon. Lazio played at home against Graz Storm from Austria. ”

The game is not very important.

Therefore, in addition to the television stations of the two teams, the match was broadcast on some domestic television stations in Italy. Other foreign TV stations don't care about this game.

"Lazio flies on the green ground,

Lazio you are never alone.

An eagle flies in the sky,

Fly higher and higher,

This love never ends!

Blue and white in my heart. It's the color of the sky.

Lazio flies on the green ground,

Lazio you will never be alone!

An eagle flies in the sky.

Fly higher and higher! ”

Before the game even started, Lazio fans began to cheer on their team. Jack looked at the Lazio fans. The game is about to start, and there are a few more fans than just now. But the number of fans who came to the scene was just over 20,000.

According to the stadium's report, the number of fans is around 23,000. The number of people is very small.

"Doodoo-"

Jack looked at the time, and the game was about to start, so the whistle was blown to indicate that the game was on.

"The referee's whistle came to mind. The race is about to begin. Lazio won 3-1 in the first round, so there should be no problems in this match. ”

'Lazio have to prepare for the midweek game against Juventus. Coach Mancini also thought about this and sent a substitute line-up in the middle of the game. ”

The commentators on Lazio's side are very confident.

Of course, that's what everyone thought before the game. Otherwise, there wouldn't be just a little bit of fans today. Lazio fans themselves thought the game was easy, so the enthusiasm was not very high.

For Lazio, this game is not a big match. More important games this weekend. Lazio are going to have a strong conversation with Juventus. Compared to this match, the match against Juventus is a real heavyweight confrontation.

"Lazio kicked off first. Inzaghi passes the ball to Chiesa, who returns it to Dino. Baggio. Dino. Baggio handed the ball to Liverani, who took it. ”

"Strafoller, Strafoller's tackle!"

The game had just begun, and Lazio was making a slow pass. However, the players of the Graz Storm who came to the away game were different, and immediately pressed forward after kick-off.

Graz Storm midfielder Strafoller tackles the ball the moment Liverani gets the ball.

"Riverani fell to the ground. The referee deemed no foul and the game continued. Straffol, pass! ”

Strafol's movements are not small. This player from Austria. The tackle action is quite ferocious. However, there is no action to light the soles of the shoes, and it is the first tackle to tackle the ball.

That's why Jack didn't call a foul.

And one is prepared, the other is unprepared. After Liverani fell to the ground, there was no reaction. But Straffoller quickly jumped. Then just pass the ball over. There was no consideration at all whether Jack would blow for a foul.

"Sabikos, Sabikos got the ball. Sabikos smashes the ball, Sabikos dunks past Pancarlo. Sabikos shoots! ”

“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！”

"Sabikos, Sabikos. The game lasted less than a minute. Graz scored a goal against Lazio. Too unexpectedly, the Graz Storm chased back a ball. ”

Liverani saw the goal from the Graz Storm. stood up and immediately came to Jack to complain.

"Foul, it's a foul. He shoveled me. ”

"No, he tackled the ball first."

Actually, this ball is between a foul and a non-foul. Jack can blow for a foul, but he can also say no foul. In fact, many fouls are like this, and they are all in the mind of the referee. The foul was also in Jack's enforcement scale.

Jack is a referee from England.

This tackle is so common in the Premier League that no fouls are blown. The same goes for Jack, who would never blow such a ball.

"But it's a side-to-back tackle, with the ball."

"No foul."

Jack shook his head and told Riverani to walk away. Then the whistle is blown to indicate that the goal is valid. Jack didn't expect such a quick goal in the game he was officiating.

Jack couldn't help but look at his watch at the moment of the goal, and the game was less than thirty seconds into the game. Just sixteen seconds into the game, Graz Storm had already scored a goal. (To be continued......)