Controversial Pre-Match Spectacle at Munich's Champions League Final
Criticism has intensified over the Linkin Park concert - Intense Backlash Against Linkin Park's Show
Get ready to rock, ‘cause the Allianz Arena in Munich ain't just a football stadium, it's a giant concert venue for the evening! The Champions League Final between PSG and Inter Milan took a backseat to the thrilling performance of American rock legends Linkin Park and violin virtuoso David Garrett (44)! But this show wasn't egged on all the fans—you know who you are, Marco van Basten (60)!
The retired Dutch footballer, European Champion in 1988 and two-time Champions League winner, didn't hold back on sports channel Ziggo Sport. "This is absolute insanity!" he exclaimed, slamming the show as "a waste, completely worthless."
His beef? The teams had to cut their pre-game warm-up short due to the show. Van Basten and his cohort Rafael van der Vaart (42) saw the musical interlude as a distraction for the players and took turns criticizing UEFA for treating the athletes poorly.
Fan Frenzy on Social Media
While Van Basten's rant threw cold water on the pre-game enthusiasm, fans on social media were all about it, man! One user even proclaimed, "This beats the game itself!" Another added, "Linkin Park killed it! Time for the main event!"
The band, who've made a comeback under new vocalist Emily Armstrong (39) since autumn 2024, played a medley of their biggest hits, like "The Emptiness Machine," "In The End," and "Numb." Then, David Garrett (44) shredded the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" on the violin, half the stadium chanting along to this football classic.
Delegating the pre-match show to the musical duo was part of UEFA's strategy to make the Champions League Final an unforgettable experience, inspired by the Super Bowl halftime show's spectacle. Millions of viewers worldwide watched the performance, complete with impressive special effects, choreographed dancers wearing masks, and innovative stage tech.
Empty Seats in the Stadium
Despite millions tuning in, there was silence when the spotlight hit the empty seats of the Allianz Arena after Linkin Park's performance. It seemed some fans were still sitting there in memory of Linkin Park's late frontman, the talented Chester Bennington, who passed away in 2017. While many lamented the absence of Bennington, others voiced their appreciation for the new vocalist, Emily Armstrong, who brings a powerful voice to the band's sound.
Linkin Park's return to the music scene has been nothing short of triumphant, with their new album "From Zero" taking international charts by storm, making them the only rock band to reach over two billion annual streams in 2024, according to Billboard. Despite the mixed reactions to their Champions League Final performance, Linkin Park showed they're still a force to be reckoned with.
[1] Marco Van Basten expresses dissatisfaction over pre-match performance, emphasizing critique of concept rather than Linkin Park (enrichment data)[2] Fan reactions on social media are overwhelmingly positive, praising Linkin Park and David Garrett's performance (enrichment data)[3] Linkin Park's energetic performance contributes to building an exciting atmosphere before the match between PSG and Inter Milan (enrichment data)
The thrilling performance by Linkin Park and David Garrett during the Champions League Final at Munich's Allianz Arena generated a mixed response, with some critics like Marco Van Basten deeming it a distraction for the players. Meanwhile, fans on social media enthusiastically praised the music, turning the pre-match entertainment into a highlight for many. The energetic show contributed to creating an exciting atmosphere before the match between PSG and Inter Milan.
