There is already a referee for the classic. Jesús Gil Manzano will be in charge of directing the duel between Barça and Real Madrid this Thursday (4:15 p.m.) at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. A referee who does not convince FC Barcelona that he will meet the referee who has sent off the most players. In total, six for direct red and four for double yellow. Among the expelled Blaugrana footballers are names like Messi, Neymar and Lewandowski, the latest victim.
The Polish striker was sent off last season in Pamplona after Gil Manzano interpreted that the gesture he made touching his nose was inconsiderate towards the referee. Lewandowski was punished with two more matches for this action.
The same match in which Gerard Piqué said goodbye to the playing fields, who was sent off by Gil Manzano at half-time and ended his career without being able to play. "You are the referee who has screwed us up the most by far," the referee then reflected in the minutes.
The 39-year-old referee has been in the First Division since the 20212-13 season, but has only directed two classics to date, both at the Santiago Bernabéu and with a victory for Real Madrid. The first time was in 2014, with a white victory by 3 goals to 1 and the last time was the 2020-21 season, when he replaced the injured Mateu Lahoz. On that occasion the Madrid team won 2-1.
This season he has only refereed Real Madrid, it was in the first League match at San Mamés, with Real Madrid winning 0-2 against Athletic. Gil Manzano has not yet shown a card in the five League games that he has coached.
The Federation has made public the referee appointments for matchday 11 of the First Division this Thursday morning. Next to Gil Manzano will be Ángel Nevado Rodríguez and Javier Martínez Nicolás and in the VAR room he will be assisted by Guillermo Cuadra Fernández.
