Union of European Football Associations, UEFA has chosen István Kovács to officiate the Champions League playoff second leg against Manchester City on Wednesday. The playoff will be held at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
This will be Kovács’ fourth Champions League game as manager of Real Madrid. The Romanian official has taken charge of Real Madrid’s 5-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024/25 Champions League league phase.
He also led Los Blancos to a 5-2 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of the 2022/23 Champions League Round of 16. Kovác also led Real Madrid to a 4-3 victory over Manchester City in the opening leg of the 2021/22 Champions League semifinals.
Clément Turpin officiated the first leg duel last Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium. Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 3-2, thanks to Jude Bellingham’s stoppage time goal. The winner of the two leg matches will advance to the Champions League Round of 16.
