Experienced but controversial, Gil Manzano will referee the semi-final second leg of the Europa League

Two days before the second leg between Atalanta Bergamo and Olympique de Marseille (1-1 in the first leg at the Vélodrome), UEFA revealed the name of the referee for the match. This is Jesus Gil Manzano. An experienced judge but who has not always been successful in OM. In Spain, he was suspended for a short period this season.

The second leg between Atalanta Bergamo and Olympique de Marseille is approaching. The two teams ended in a draw (1-1), in the first leg, at the Vélodrome stadium. Chancellor Mbemba responded to Gianluca Scamacca’s Italian opening. Everything still remains in the second leg this Thursday (9pm) at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo.

A negative result with Marseille

This Tuesday, UEFA appointed the referee who will officiate this second leg. The lucky winner is Jesus Gil Manzano, a 40-year-old Spanish judge. He will be assisted by his compatriots Diego Barbero and Angel Nevado on the pitch. Juan Martinez Munuera will be responsible for VAR. This Spanish referee is experienced and has already presided over the Clasico several times, especially during Real Madrid’s victory over FC Barcelona (1-2), in La Liga, last October.

Jesus Gil Manzano has refereed Olympique Marseille three times so far. He has not always smiled at OM since the Marseille club have a record of two losses and one win with the Spanish referee. The first defeat occurred, during the 2018/2019 season, in the Europa League, and OM lost against Lazio Roma at the Vélodrome (1-3).

A controversial judge in his own country

Marseille’s second setback with the Spaniard in control of the game goes back to last season, in the Champions League, in Frankfurt (2-1). To see OM win in a match refereed by Jesus Gil Manzano, you have to go back to December 2020. It was at the Vélodrome stadium against Olympiakos (2-1). That night, the Spaniard awarded two penalties to Marseille.

Despite his experience, Jesus Gil Manzano was suspended for two matches this season by the Technical Committee of Referees in Spain. In March of last year, he whistled the end of the game between Valencia and Real Madrid (2-2), in La Liga, while Carlo Ancelotti’s players ended a final offensive with a goal from Jude Bellingham in stoppage time.