Italian official Davide Massa has been appointed for Liverpool's Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid at Anfield
Davide Massa
The referee for Liverpool's opening Champions League clash was furiously confronted by the PSG sporting director after the foul on Bradley Barcola
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A familiar face has been appointed for Liverpool's opening Champions League fixture, with Wednesday's referee previously attracting controversy the last time he oversaw a Reds match. Liverpool begin their European campaign against Atletico Madrid - the second straight season in which the Spanish side features in the club's opening league‑phase tie.
Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first Champions League game as Liverpool manager, hoping to build on Friday's win at Ipswich. Italian official Davide Massa has been confirmed as referee at Anfield, supported by assistants Filippo Meli and Alessio Berti, with Matteo Marcenaro as fourth official. Marco Di Bello and Daniele Chiffi will handle VAR duties.
Massa has refereed Liverpool only once before, but it was a memorable occasion - the Reds' 1-0 victory away to Paris Saint‑Germain in the first leg of their 2025 last‑16 tie, sealed by Harvey Elliott’s late strike.
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The match was not without its contentious moments, and Massa found himself at the heart of the debate when Ibrahima Konate appeared to foul Bradley Barcola inside the penalty area midway through the opening half at the Parc des Princes. However, neither the referee nor VAR intervened, and Konate avoided what could have been a red card.
Footage from French broadcaster Canal Plus (as reported by ESPN) captured PSG sporting director Luis Campos furiously confronting Massa at half-time over his failure to award a penalty or issue a red card. Campos reportedly harangued the referee as he made his way down the tunnel, repeatedly yelling: "It's a red card or penalty in every part of the world."
Former Liverpool manager Arne Slot, however, was far more generous in his assessment of Massa, commenting after the match: "It's not easy if you are a referee in a game like this when the fans are so there for the home team.
"I don't feel he was in favour of us or in favour of them, I think he was a top referee in a game like this."
If Liverpool's previous meeting with Atletico is anything to go by, Massa could find himself equally stretched at Anfield.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone was dismissed at the conclusion of last season's opening fixture, following a confrontation with Liverpool supporters situated behind the away dugout after Virgil van Dijk's late winner.
"They insult you all game long behind the bench, and you can't respond because you're the manager," Simeone said following the match.
"My reaction to the insult isn't justifiable, but it's not easy to endure being insulted for 90 minutes. Hopefully, Liverpool can improve, and when they find the person who did it, there will be consequences."