Alan Shearer Exclusive: Pathetic refereeing marred Champions League semi-finals

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PSG v Bayern was one of greatest games ever

PSG v Bayern was one of the best games that I've ever been to let alone this season. The standard of football, particularly the forward play, was some of the best I've witnessed.

Some of the forwards were going against some of the best defenders in the world in Hakimi, Mendes and Marquinhos. The atmosphere, energy and everything else in the stadium was a joy and it was a privilege to be there. 

In terms of the Premier League and the comparison to those teams, it was really refreshing to see both teams showing great energy and great appetite to play proper football and play it quickly and play it like it was many years ago. Players' first thoughts was to pass it forward or run at a defender, rather than pass it sideways or backwards to a centre-half and then back to the goalkeeper.

Everything had momentum. There were no huge timeouts to take corners or take throw-ins. It just seemed a really happy ground and, despite losing, I think the Bayern fans were reasonably pleased with what happened, particularly after being 5-2 down.

Premier League players don't have a winter break. If you look at the number of games PSG players have started this season, compared to some of the Premier League players, then perhaps it is understandable that the PSG players look more energetic.

Then again, we can't have it all our own way in our league. We are, without doubt, the richest and the biggest league in the world. We have all the finance yet we complain about too many games and players being tired.

Kane will go close to winning the Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane will go close to winning the Ballon d'Or this year even if England don't win the World Cup.

We all said Kane wasn't right at Euro 2024 and struggled for form. But what was there for everyone to see on Tuesday is how Bayern play with Harry and the pace and the energy they've got around him, so when he does come deep, he's always got players around him. Whenever the ball goes into him, it's clear to see the people that get around him, the pace that gets around him and beyond him. 

The front three, Kane, Diaz, and Olise, have got 100 goals between them this year. It's remarkable and right up there with Messi, Suarez and Neymar when they were at Barcelona years ago.

It seems Kane is getting better. I mean, he got the penalty, and he had that great assist for Luis Diaz, but he still seems as if he's getting better.

Refereeing in Europe this week was pathetic 

I thought Arsenal, without doubt, had the better of the game on Wednesday in Madrid, particularly in the first half. They quietened the crowd, which is very difficult in that stadium. They were a better team in the first-half, but Atletico came back with much more energy, much more pressing in the second half.

Both teams will be quietly happy with how it went. But there were contentious decisions in both semi-finals.

The penalty that was given in the game on Tuesday was an absolute joke and some of the decisions on Wednesday were shocking. For the referee to overturn the one that he gave on Eze, I thought was just pathetic. Don't get me started on it because I don't want to get angry.

It's all about different interpretations. VAR was supposed to be for maximum benefit, minimum interference. Now, you tell me how those things were applied on Tuesday and Wednesday night in one of the biggest competitions we have. It's absolute bull****.

I think it was a fair result overall and I know Arsenal will feel hard done by for that decision. In terms of being reasonably happy, it was never going to be as entertaining as Tuesday night. Arsenal will be quietly confident that 1-1 is not a bad result.

Trophyless season would be disaster for Arteta

Viktor Gyokeres has 19 or 20 goals now in all competitions which isn't a bad return, but I still think Arsenal are lacking fluidity. There's not that smoothness in the Arsenal team.

I'm not expecting them to play like PSG or Bayern. But even with Havertz in there, there's not the energy, there's not the build-up play like we saw with Arsenal three or four months ago. They're a long way from that.

Having said that, they're still on the brink of history. The next four, five or six weeks could be the biggest moments in their history, or it could be the biggest flop in their history.

If Arteta wins the Premier League and the Champions League, he's a genius. If he doesn't, then it's a terrible look.

I think it will be huge this weekend for Arsenal from the mental side of things. To go six clear - if they beat Fulham on Saturday - at such an important time when there's not that many games left could be a huge advantage.

If that were to happen, I would fancy Arsenal to win the league.

Man City get no sympathy from me

I do find it, I wouldn't say comical, but really interesting that there's so much debate about Man City having to play three games in a week at this stage of the season. 

When I look at their semi-final lineup last weekend, they're bringing Phil Foden in, Nico Gonzalez in, Kovacic and John Stones. I mean, come on, it's not as if they're random players who are coming in to replace their big hitters. They've got world class stars coming in to replace the big hitters.

Arsenal have got the Champions League game again in mid-week. Man City have got the FA Cup Final. It's what you want at the beginning of the season. They're not getting any sympathy from me.  

Newcastle are not in relegation fight

I'd be amazed if Newcastle got dragged into the relegation fight. Saying that with Spurs getting the win eventually last weekend, Leeds, West Ham and Forest winning games, it is not ideal for my old club.

There was a slight improvement last week against Arsenal. Bruno makes a huge difference to Newcastle's team, in terms of what he gives them.

I don't think they'll get dragged into a relegation battle. But that doesn't mean there's no concern about what's happened this season.

Newcastle are unhappy with Wissa and Woltemade

Yoane Wissa hasn't started well at all at Newcastle. Whether he'll get the opportunity to ever start, I don't know. I don't know what'll happen this summer. 

I'm not privy to what goes on behind the scenes, but there must be issues if Newcastle are struggling for goals yet both Wiisa and Nick Woltemade are still on the bench, despite being fit. 

That tells me whatever is going on behind the scenes that they're clearly not happy with Wissa or Woltemade.

Kevin Keegan was my Newcastle hero

Thirty years on from Kevin Keegan's famous rant and it is still one of the most iconic moments in Premier League history. Unfortunately, for Kevin and for Newcastle it happened a season before I signed, and I clearly remember it.

Those words were typical of Kevin though, wearing his heart on his sleeve, he was so energetic, but so emotional and whatever you got from Kevin was always straight from the heart. But that rant is never going to go away.

He was my hero. I know he's not been well lately, and I have sent him best wishes and been in contact via text messages, but yeah, when he was at Newcastle, he was like the Pied Piper, everyone followed him around, every kid, and I was one of those kids. I went to the training ground, I went to the ground, I went wherever he was and I wanted to be like Kevin Keegan was at Newcastle.

He did great things for Newcastle. Player-wise, he was adored. Manager-wise, they still adore him now. I love him. I had him both as a manager for Newcastle and for England as well. Kevin was a great man and still is. 

Don't expect a Man U v Liverpool classic

Those who have played in Manchester United v Liverpool matches will tell you it's a huge fixture. But there's certainly not as much build-up to the one this weekend as there has been over previous years, clearly for obvious reasons. I mean, by their own standards.

In terms of the history that they've got, they've both had relatively poor seasons. I know it looks as if both of them are going to qualify for the Champions League, but there'll still be an appetite and there'll still be a great atmosphere. It's not the Liverpool or United we know at all from how they have played this season. I don't think it'll be a classic.

Liverpool will not want United doing the double over them, particularly in what has been a poor season for them.

Fernandes isn't a Man U great yet

There's no doubt Manchester United wouldn't be where they are if it wasn't for Bruno Fernandes. He's stood out in a poor team but what defines him is the trophies he has or hasn't won with them.

Comparing him to the likes of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and David Beckham, these guys who won the treble, and won trophies before that and afterwards, I'd be reluctant to talk about Fernandes as one of the Manchester United greats. But that's through no fault of his own. I think he's massively stood out this year and is deservedly up for the Player of the Year award.

Mourinho Madrid return would be big surprise

I'd be really surprised if Jose Mourinho went back to Real Madrid. I don't know whether that's them putting feelers out to try and see the reaction. Whether that's from Mourinho's people, or whether that's from Real Madrid. 

Jose has still got a bit of magic. They're still unbeaten this season, Benfica. He'd go down rightly as a great. But I'd be really surprised if that was to happen, him going back to Real Madrid. 

Beat Rangers and Hearts will win the league

I think if Hearts beat Rangers this weekend, it's pretty much theirs, I would say. That's a big if because of the pressure, but they've been there for a long time now to be shot at, and they seem to be handling it pretty well.

What a game this is on the weekend. If Hearts were to take the three points, they'd almost be there. It'd be a great story to see them win the title.

Wrexham promotion would be outrageous

My favourite to go up from the Championship would be Ipswich. They know if they win this weekend, then they're up. You'd want that as a player or as a football club, but it's going to be one of those weekends where one team is promoted with half an hour to go, and then with five minutes to go another team is in pole position.

It's going to be one of those painful weekends for whoever you support in those playoff positions.

It would be absolutely outrageous if Wrexham were to get into the Premier League via the play-offs. From where they were to where they are now, and even to where they can go, what a story that is and it could get even bigger and better.

I want Middlesbrough to be in the Premier League because I think it's always better when all North East teams are in the topn flight. But in a way, I also think Wrexham would be a great story, with everything behind them, it would be incredible if they were to get into the play-offs and get up again.

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Now read Alan's predictions for Premier League matchday 35

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