Article by Adrian Jitea, Romeo Ene – published on Sunday, June 1, 2025, 00:43 / Updated on Sunday, June 1, 2025 00:43
“Central” Istvan Kovacs and assistants Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi had a praised performance at the Champions League final PSG and Inter, score 5-0. Cătălin Popa was in the Var, assistant room, but had no important decision to make.
The final of Munich was one without a historian. PSG controlled the match from one end to the other and relieved the mission of the Romanian Brigade. No phase that the ones from Inter, no major decision, may be hung. The praises have been running for Istvan Kovacs.
Marius Avram: “The performance of Istvan Kovacs was impeccable”
“I was very confident from the beginning. I was sure it would focus, it was something I wanted and I really thought it would happen. It was exactly as I hoped: very concentrated and everything went very well. His performance was impeccable! He was a top referee in a match where footballers focused exclusively on the game.
He was discreet most of the time, but present when the game asked for it. I remind you, for example, the yellow card shown to Inzaghi. He did not try to stand out, but on the contrary, he showed an understanding of football including by the fact that he did not give any extension. An impeccable decision! At a score of 5-0, the extensions would have been just an extension of agony for Inter.
There may have been a consultation with the fourth official, it may even ask the coaches if they have any objection if the end is immediately. He showed that he understands football, and the final whistle in the 90th minute was exactly what he needed. No one wanted to see extensions in that context. Had a very good performance and ended excellent.
It is undoubtedly at the best moment of his career. It is the number 1 referee in Europe. He is the only one who arbitrated the three finals – a true height of the career for any European referee. The greater the joy, because we are talking about a Romanian referee. I would not surprise me if he had chosen to arbitrate the World Cup final. We have the example of Marciniak.
Although in the previous World Championship he had no driving match, but only the reserve status, I hope that the FIFA Commission will repair that decision and give him the chance to arbitrate as important parties. After this evening performance, he strengthened his position worldwide. It is difficult not to be taken into account for the World Cup final, ”explained Marius Avram, at Digi Sport.
Istvan Kovacs, praised for the way he drove PSG – Inter
The praises also ran on social networks, on X accounts specialized in arbitration.
“It was a very simple match for Istvan Kovacs. The Romanian had a good performance and made the right decisions in almost every phase of the game.
In the end, he had mercy on Inter and did not extend the time, as it is suitable in such situations. He fulfilled his tasks perfectly and, on merit, leaves home with the medal with his team “, was the short analysis on the X account called” El Central (Andrés) “, a page with 86,000 followers.
Has passed unobserved. So did his colleagues in the brigade. Sober and with a profile appreciated by millions of followers. Technically and disciplined, he had control and personality. Note 10 for an arbitrator worth watching and copied. This is the Romanian Istvan Kovacs!
– Alberto Pablo Callegari, Argentine journalist
