Jesús Gil Manzano to referee UEFA Champions League clash between AS Monaco and Manchester City in League Phase

An all-Spanish team of match officials will oversee proceedings between AS Monaco and Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League’s league phase this week.

Pep Guardiola and his players will be hoping to maintain their fine run of form following the September international break when they head into the continent for the first time in the brand new season.

Matchday one of the new league phase in this season’s UEFA Champions League saw Kevin De Bruyne return to the Etihad Stadium with his Napoli teammates, only to be withdrawn via a substitution inside the opening exchanges following a red card for the club’s captain.

Manchester City would go on to take advantage of the difference in numbers on the field, eventually breaking down Antonio Conte’s stern rearguard to win 2-0 and get off to a comfortable start in the competition.

Aside from that outing, City have also recorded victories over Manchester United and Burnley in the Premier League alongside a draw with Arsenal away from home, and progressed into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a win away to Huddersfield Town.

As for their opponents this week, AS Monaco collapsed to a heavy defeat on matchday one, as they lost 4-1 away to Belgian giants Club Brugge – Ansu Fati scoring the only goal for the French visitors on the night.

Now, ahead of the meeting between AS Monaco and Manchester City on Wednesday night, UEFA have now announced the list of match officials to oversee proceedings at the Stade Louis II.

Match Referee

UEFA have confirmed that 41-year-old Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano has been appointed into the role of lead on-field match official for the contest between AS Monaco and Manchester City in the south of France this week.

Manzano has thus far officiated five match this season in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League, issuing a total of 18 yellow cards in those contests, three straight red card dismissals, and awarding two penalties in the process.

The Don Benito born referee has only previously officiated Manchester City in any competition on one occasion, taking charge of Pep Guardiola’s 3-0 home win against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg of 2023.

City fans will be well aware that the victory over the German side set them en route to what would ultimately culminate in European glory for the first time in the club’s history, going on to defeat Real Madrid and Inter in the semi-final and final respectively.

Assistant Referees

Accompanying Jesús Gil Manzano on the pitch in France this week will be fellow Spanish officials in Ángel Nevado and Guadalupe Porras Ayuso, appointed by UEFA into the role of assistant referees.

Video Assistant Referees

As for those overseeing proceedings away from the pitch, Cesar Soto Grado has been appointed as the game’s Video Assistant Referee, with Alejandro Hernández named as the Assistant Video Assistant Referee.

Fourth Official

Standing between the two dugouts and ensuring order between AS Monaco manager Adi Hütter and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola will be fourth official José Luis Munuera – completing an all-Spanish team of referees for the contest.