French Ref Letexier to Take Charge of Real Madrid's Benfica Clash
UEFA appoints François Letexier for Madrid's Champions League round of 16 first leg at Estadio Da Luz, with the French official having a mixed history with Los Blancos.
UEFA have named François Letexier as the man in the middle for Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League round of 16 first leg against Benfica in Lisbon.
French Official Gets the Nod
The 36-year-old French referee will take charge when Los Blancos visit the Estadio Da Luz on February 17th, with compatriot Jérome Brisard serving as VAR for the crucial European fixture.
This appointment marks Letexier’s sixth time officiating a Champions League match involving the Spanish giants, and the numbers make for interesting reading if you’re a Madridista.
Mixed History with Madrid
Real’s record under Letexier’s watch currently stands at:
- 2 wins
- 1 draw
- 2 defeats
The most recent encounter didn’t exactly go swimmingly for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Letexier was in charge for Madrid’s 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal in last April’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu - a result that left the Bernabéu faithful proper Brahms and Liszt, as we say in the smoke.
What to Expect
Letexier has built a reputation as a relatively composed official who doesn’t rush to his pocket at the first sign of trouble. However, his history with Madrid suggests this appointment might raise a few eyebrows among the club’s supporters, especially given the importance of Champions League knockout fixtures.
With Madrid’s European pedigree always making them favorites, they’ll be hoping Letexier’s presence doesn’t become a talking point in what promises to be a testing away leg in Portugal.