For the second-leg Champions League quarter-final clash between Real Madrid and Arsenal, UEFA has appointed a referee who has often smiled upon Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The news is out: renowned French referee François Letexier will officiate the match between Real Madrid and Arsenal. For this high-stakes encounter, which will be decisive for both teams in their bid to qualify for the next round of the Champions League, UEFA has opted for the best French whistle of the moment. Already accustomed to major fixtures, Letexier is well known to Madrid fans, having refereed their matches on four occasions in the past. The record? Two wins, one draw and one defeat.
A decision that delights Real Madrid
Among the matches under his officiating, the victories against Chelsea (2-0 in 2022/2023) and Napoli (4-3 in 2023/2024) remain etched in the memories of the supporters. However, a draw against Manchester City (3-3 in 2023/2024) and a defeat to Liverpool this season (2-0 at Anfield) temper the excitement. Despite this, François Letexier has always been perceived as a fair and neutral referee by Los Blancos – a rarity in the context of Spanish competitions, often plagued by refereeing controversies.
In recent months, Real Madrid has been engaged in an ongoing dispute with referees. With a system considered outdated and one that has penalised the team, Florentino Pérez’s club bears a grudge against several officials. But with Letexier, there has never been any controversy so far. This is good news for Madridistas, who can feel reassured by the presence of a referee expected to make the right decisions when it matters most in the showdown with the Gunners.
What’s at stake
Facing a 3-0 deficit, Real Madrid are up against a historic challenge. Never in the history of the Champions League have Los Merengues overturned such a gap. But as the saying goes, there is a first time for everything, and Ancelotti’s side is determined to believe in its chances. Arsenal, on the other hand, will need to defend their lead with caution while capitalising on any space Madrid might leave in their push to come back.
To pull off this feat, Real Madrid will have to strike hard right from the kick-off, as Toni Kroos has pointed out. Scoring early would pile pressure on Arsenal and give Madrid’s players the confidence to build momentum. Especially with effective coaching from Carlo Ancelotti, magic could well happen. However, taking defensive risks, as Raúl Asencio often does, could also open the door to chances for the Gunners, who will be quick to exploit any weaknesses.
With just hours to go before the big match, all eyes are on Real Madrid’s meticulous preparation. As for the fans, they are dreaming of seeing their team turn things around and secure a victory that would go down in club history. Should Madrid manage to achieve this feat, they would become serious contenders for this year’s Champions League title, reigniting the hopes of millions of fans around the world.
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