Atlético Madrid will be looking for a crucial victory against Sparta Prague this Tuesday at 18:45 local time, in the fifth matchday of the Champions League. As the Rojiblancos aim to consolidate their good run of form, all eyes are on the experienced Dutch referee Danny Makkelie and his team, who will be responsible for ensuring fair play in this encounter.
The team managed by Diego Simeone arrives with confidence after five consecutive victories in all competitions, including a dramatic win against PSG at the Parc des Princes. In contrast, Sparta Prague, who started the competition with a victory, has been unable to earn any points since then and needs to regain momentum to stay competitive in the tournament. This clash promises to be an intense battle where every detail, including officiating, will be crucial.
Danny Makkelie, born on January 28, 1983, in Willemstad, is a referee with a significant track record in European football. Since his Champions League debut in the 2014/15 season, officiating a match between Chelsea and Maribor, he has overseen 50 matches in the premier club competition, including decisive encounters like the 2020 Europa League final between Sevilla and Inter.
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The Dutch referee has an interesting history with Atlético Madrid: five previous matches have resulted in one victory, three draws, and one defeat for the Rojiblancos. One of these encounters was the memorable match at Anfield during the Champions League Round of 16 in the 2019/20 season, where the Colchoneros completed a historic comeback.
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On the other hand, this will be Makkelie’s first time officiating a Sparta Prague match in the Champions League. However, he has already refereed two of the Czech team’s matches in the Europa League, with a record of one win and one loss.
For this clash, Danny Makkelie will be supported by a fully Dutch team:
In the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, Rob Dieperink will be in charge of VAR duties, with Erwin Blank as the Assistant VAR. This team is tasked with ensuring a fair and transparent development of the match.
Rob Dieperink, born on April 18, 1988, in Borculo, is a young referee with a growing reputation within UEFA. He made his Champions League debut in the 2023/24 season, officiating a match between SC Braga and Napoli. Since then, he has been in charge of the VAR in 15 matches in this competition.
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Dieperink has also been part of the refereeing team in international tournaments, including the Euro 2024 in Germany and the Paris 2024 Olympics. His appointment as VAR for this match reflects UEFA’s confidence in his ability to handle high-stakes games.
The selection of referees for each matchday in the Champions League is the responsibility of the UEFA Referees Committee. This body, composed of experienced specialists, evaluates the performances of officials and assigns matches based on their experience and performance. The appointments for Tuesday and Wednesday matches are made every Monday, ensuring that the best referees are overseeing the most important games.
The Sparta Prague vs. Atlético Madrid match will be much more than just a simple group stage encounter in the Champions League. With a refereeing team led by Danny Makkelie and supported by Rob Dieperink in the VAR, the match promises to live up to expectations. In a clash where every decision could make the difference, Atlético will look to maintain their positive streak, while Sparta will aim to pull off an upset in front of their home fans.
