FC Barcelona vs FC Porto: who is the referee for the Champions League clash?

Both sides have nine points apiece going into the tie in Barcelona. We take a look at the man in the middle.

FC Barcelona and FC Porto meet on Tuesday 28 November (15:00 pm ET) for Matchday 5 of the Champions League group stage at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys de Montjuïc.

The Champions League tie between the two clubs will be officiated by Italian referee Daniele Orsato.

Who is Daniele Orsato?

Orsato, 48, is one of the most experienced referees in European football. His experience should let the game today flow as both sides look to pick up points in Group H. For the Group H clash, Orsato will be joined in the VAR room by fellow Italian referee Massimiliano Irrati.

He was born in Vicenza and has been a UEFA referee since 2010. Before becoming a referee, he was a coach.

Tuesday will be Orsato’s second Champions League group-stage match of the campaign. On 3 October he refereed the PSV-Sevilla (2-2).

He was the referee appointed by UEFA for the 2019-2020 Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

World Cup referee

At last year’s World Cup, he took charge of three matches, including the semi-final between Argentina and Croatia. He was also appointed for the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador and Argentina’s second group-stage match against Mexico, which ended in a 2-0 victory for La Albiceleste.

FC Barcelona vs FC Porto

Both sides have nine points apiece going into the tie in Catalonia. The winner will move clear at the top of the group with a place in the last 16 up for grabs.