For the previous decade, the UEFA Champions League closing has kicked off not simply with footballing fireworks, however musical ones too. In a convention that more and more mirrors the Tremendous Bowl halftime present, annually UEFA invitations a globally recognised artist or band to carry out simply earlier than the most important membership match in world soccer.
In earlier years, the likes of Alicia Keys, Think about Dragons, Black Eyed Peas, and Lenny Kravitz have taken the stage. This time round, it was Linkin Park’s flip to shine.
Fronted by founding member Mike Shinoda and vocalist Emily Armstrong — who stepped in following Chester Bennington’s tragic passing in 2017 — the group delivered a dramatic four-song medley on the Allianz Area. Their set included “The Vacancy Machine,” “Within the Finish,” “Numb,” and “Heavy Is The Crown.”
Full with pyrotechnics, moody visuals, and a large standing ovation, it regarded just like the nu-metal legends had hit all the precise notes with the gang.
However whereas Linkin Park tried so exhausting and obtained up to now, in the long run, it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient for Marco van Basten.
The Dutch soccer legend didn’t maintain again in his brutal evaluation of the pre-match present, tellingZiggo Sport: “The Linkin Park efficiency was rubbish — completely rubbish. It’s a shame that UEFA permits this.”
Although he name-checked the band, Van Basten’s frustration was clearly aimed extra on the idea than the performers themselves. The previous Ballon d’Or winner argued that the spectacle distracts gamers proper earlier than kickoff, at a time when they need to be centered and warming up on the pitch.
“I discover it completely idiotic,” he added, slamming the entire manufacturing as “nugatory — completely nugatory.”
Clearly, for Van Basten, the pre-match present seems like one step nearer to ruining the gorgeous sport.
