Maurizio Mariani will referee Real Madrid's away match against AEK Athens FC on Wednesday, while Serdar Gözübüyük will officiate Real Betis's trip to Borussia Dortmund. The appointments give Madrid a familiar face in Europe, with Mariani taking a Real Madrid Champions League match for the fourth time.
Mariani's fourth Madrid assignment
Europa Press reported that Mariani, 44, has already handled three Madrid matches in the top continental competition. Those came against RB Leipzig in 2022-2023, Manchester City in 2025-2026 and LOSC Lille in 2024-2025.
Madrid go into the AEK Athens game with 9 points from 3 Champions League matches and 10 goals scored. They have also conceded 5 goals in those three games, which is part of why their European fixtures tend to draw attention.
Gözübüyük returns to Betis
Gözübüyük, 41, has also seen Real Betis before. Europa Press said he oversaw the verdiblanca side's 0-4 win in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Conference League in the 2024-2025 season, and showed seven yellow cards in that match.
Betis arrive in Dortmund level on 9 points from 3 Champions League matches, with 7 goals scored and 4 conceded. Dortmund sit 13th in the league phase on 6 points, which makes this another game with plenty riding on it for the officials as well as the clubs.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
