Szymon Marciniak is set to referee the second leg of the Champions League semi-final between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium. The Polish official was announced by UEFA to take charge of the fixture, underscoring his status as a trusted figure in European football officiating.
Marciniak will serve as the head referee for the clash between two football powerhouses from England and Spain. He will be flanked by fellow Poles Pawel Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewic, with Istvan Kovacs from Romania serving as the fourth official. The VAR duties will be handled by Polish referees Tomasz Kwiatkowski and Bartosz Frankowski, who bring extensive experience to the biennial showcase.
Who is Szymon Marciniak, the referee for Manchester City vs Real Madrid in the 2022-23 Champions League semi-finals
Marciniak is no stranger to big European nights. His appointment for the Real Madrid versus Chelsea match at the Bernabéu previously highlighted his ability to manage high-stakes ties, even as Madrid slipped to a 2-3 defeat that nevertheless helped them progress in the competition. The Polish official also oversaw the European Super Cup final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid in Tallinn during the 2018/19 season, a fixture that highlighted his capability to handle a high-pressure environment.
Historically, Real Madrid has experienced success in matches officiated by Marciniak, a pattern that has added to the intrigue around the Polish referee’s involvement in future Madrid clashes. His track record in major showdowns has cemented him as a trusted figure in overseeing elite European contests.
Marciniak’s trajectory
Marciniak became a FIFA-listed referee in 2011, with his first notable assignment coming during the qualifying rounds for the 2014 World Cup. Over the years, he has built a rich resume at international tournaments, including Euro 2016, the 2018 World Cup, and the 2022 World Cup, where he managed several key fixtures. Notably, he was at the whistle for the World Cup final between Argentina and France in Qatar, a match that underscored his experience at the very highest level of the sport.