Manchester United are in Barcelona to face the La Liga leaders in the first leg of their play-off tie for a place in the last-16.
Erik ten Hag’s squad will be eager to test themselves up against one of the most in-form teams in Europe, but Barcelona will be in a similar boat. Xavi has managed to get the team playing in a way that it helps distract fans from the mess off the pitch.
While there has been a lot of controversy around officiating in the Premier League, we have a list of confirmed officials for tonight’s Europa League clash and it consists of Italians for the most part. Hopefully an improvement on what we see domestically.
Referee: Maurizio Mariani
Assistant referees: Alberto Tegoni and Daniele Bindoni
VAR: Marco Guida and Fabio Maresca
Fourth official: Milos Gigovic
The officials in question should know what to expect at the Camp Nou, although that doesn’t stop other referees letting them away with the drama they tend to bring to the occasion.
Sergio Busquets is absent through injury, but he nowhere near the player he was. Gavi and Pedri are two incredible players we need to keep an eye on.
It is a boost for United that Casemiro will return to the line-up.
