Gil Manzano to referee Barcelona vs Real Madrid Clasico 2023-2024: history, stats, and what to expect

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The 39-year-old referee has the responsibility of overseeing justice on the Montjuic pitch. It was initially set to be Sánchez Martínez, but the decision was promptly altered.

The opening LaLiga Clasico of the 2023-2024 season is scheduled for Saturday, October 28 at Montjuic. The clash between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will captivate world football, and the officiating controversy will once again be a central talking point.

Who is Jesús Gil Manzano, the referee for the Barcelona vs Real Madrid Clasico in La Liga 2023-2024

In this match, Jesús Gil Manzano will referee the encounter between the blaugranas and madridistas. It marks the third time that these Catalan and Madrid clubs face off under his whistle. The initial plan was to appoint Sánchez Martínez, but changes were made along the way.

Gil Manzano is a 39-year-old official born in Don Benito, a town in Badajoz province. He holds a degree in environmental sciences from the University of Salamanca and began officiating football at a very young age, starting in 1995 when he was eleven. He made his top-flight debut in 2012 at twenty-five and has been a FIFA international referee since 2014.

Real Madrid has been the team he has adjudicated most often, with forty-seven matches yielding thirty-seven wins for Madrid, five draws, and five losses. He has overseen thirty-six Barcelona fixtures, resulting in twenty-two wins, seven draws, and seven defeats.

Madrid fans recall him for the controversial 4-1 defeat at Mestalla, where penalties went against Los Blancos. Historically, Madrid has emerged victorious in about 78 percent of the matches officiated by Gil Manzano, while Barcelona has won about 61 percent of their games under his refereeing.

Over the course of his career, Gil Manzano has sent off ten Barcelona players, including Luis Suárez, Neymar, Lionel Messi — the only red card Messi saw at club level for Argentina — and Robert Lewandowski. In contrast, Real Madrid has seen four players shown red cards by him, including two for Casemiro in a match in Madrid’s favor. The Catalans have earned six penalties under his officiating, with five against them, while Madrid has been whistled for fourteen and seven against.

Gil Manzano’s third Clasico awaits

Regarding classic clashes, Gil Manzano officiated his third Clasico after debuting in October 2014. His first Clasico saw Real Madrid win 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, during Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure, while Barcelona was led by Luis Enrique. The second Clasico took place at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium in Real Madrid’s training complex in Valdebebas, ending 2-1 for Madrid and featuring a contentious moment where Barcelona requested a penalty for a Braithwaite grab. He also sent Casemiro off with a second yellow in that match.

History, statistics, and precedents of Gil Manzano as a referee for Real Madrid and Barcelona

For deeper context on his record with these clubs, see the overview reported by Goal.

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