Over the past decade, the European Champions League finals have started not only with football fireworks, but also with music. In a tradition that increasingly reflects the Super Bowl halftime show, European Olive Oil invites globally recognized artists or bands to perform each year before the largest club competition in the world football game.
Over the past few years, the likes of Alicia Keys, Imagine Dragons, Black Eyed Peas and Lenny Kravitz have all taken the stage. This time, it’s Lincoln Park’s turn to shine.
Under the leadership of founding member Mike Shinoda and singer Emily Armstrong, he released four dramatic songs at Allianz Arena after the tragic death of Chester Bennington in 2017. Their suits include “Empty Machine”, “End”, “Nuunder” and “Heavy Duty Is the Crown”.
With pyrotechnics, moody visuals and huge standing ovations, it looks like NU-Metal Legends hit all the right notes along with the crowd.
But while Linkin Park worked very hard and went too far, ultimately, for Marco Van Basten, that wasn’t enough.
Dutch football legend doesn’t stop a brutal scrutiny of pre-match performancesZiggo Sports: “The performances at Linkin Park are rubbish – definitely rubbish. What the European Union allows is a shame.”
Despite his name to the band, Van Basten’s frustration was clearly aimed at the concept more than the performers themselves. The former Ballon d’Or champion believes that the spectacle will distract players before kickoff and should focus and warm up on the court.
“I find it absolutely stupid,” he added, slamming the entire piece as “worthless – totally worthless”.
Apparently for Van Basten, pre-match performances feel like ruining the beautiful game closer.
