A referee familiar to Premiership audiences will take centerstage at the Bernabeu today. Howard Webb will proceed to the World Cup in less than three weeks and officiating this most important match establishes his reputation as one of the top referees in the world.
He has had his share of clashes with Jose Mourinho while at Chelsea including the 2007 Carling Cup which ended in a brawl between the Blues and Arsenal, with John Terry leaving with a broken jaw. Then again, in September 2007 disallowing a Salomon Kalou goal for offside against Blackburn which led to a Mourinho tirade, demanding an apology from the Englishman.
Webb is a former police officer who bears a resemblance to the far more controversial and recently retired Tom Hennings Ovrebo. It the past is any indication, a free flowing match could be impeded by Webb’s micromanagement. There will be a smattering of yellow cards and Thiago Motta and Martin Demichelis will be closely watched.