Mariani to Referee Real Madrid vs AEK Athens
Maurizio Mariani has been appointed to referee Real Madrid's fourth league-phase Champions League match against AEK Athens at OPAP Arena.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Soccer
Real Madrid's official website confirmed that Maurizio Mariani will referee the club's UEFA Champions League fourth-round league-phase match against AEK Athens on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the OPAP Arena. The match kicks off at 8:45pm Cairo time.
Why it matters
The appointment brings a referee with a recent record across Real Madrid's European fixtures into a key group-stage match. The result will shape the club's standing in the league phase.
Real Madrid's official site reports two wins and one loss in Mariani's three earlier Champions League matches with the club, including a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the 2025-2026 round of 16 first leg. The match's outcome will depend on on-field performance not covered by the officiating record.
The players
Maurizio Mariani
Maurizio Mariani is an Italian referee assigned to officiate this UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and AEK Athens.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a Spanish football club competing in the UEFA Champions League, which published the officiating review that prompted this coverage.
AEK Athens
AEK Athens is a Greek football club based in Athens that will host Real Madrid at the OPAP Arena in this league-phase fixture.
The details
Real Madrid's official website published a review of Mariani's three previous matches involving the club, which was the source for the appointment. The fourth match will be his fourth Champions League game with Real Madrid, and the club will look for the pattern of two wins from three to continue.
Timeline
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Real Madrid vs AEK Athens, kickoff 8:45pm Cairo time at OPAP Arena.
Season Trajectory
Mariani's earlier Real Madrid matches, including a 2-0 win over Leipzig in 2022-2023 and a 3-0 win over Manchester City in 2025-2026, form a recurring pattern in the club's Champions League officiating history. This fourth league-phase fixture adds to that record as Real Madrid works through its group-stage schedule.
Fans tracking Real Madrid's Champions League standings can note the match's kickoff time of 8:45pm Cairo time on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Because the match is part of the league phase, the result will affect the club's position in the table.
The takeaway
Officiating patterns across a club's European history can offer useful context for reading upcoming matches. Tracking a referee's prior results with a given club helps readers follow the story as the fixture approaches.
What happens next
Real Madrid's Champions League match against AEK Athens kicks off at the OPAP Arena on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 8:45pm Cairo time.
Further reading
Follow the latest in Soccer for more on Champions League officiating and fixtures.
