PSG-Barça: Michael Oliver, the referee who brings luck to Paris, appointed for the clash

English referee Michael Oliver has been appointed to officiate the PSG-Barcelona clash, the headline fixture of the 3rd matchday of the Champions League scheduled for Tuesday evening at Parc des Princes. A nomination that should please Luis Enrique’s men.

Oliver had already officiated the Barcelona-PSG match played in early October of the previous season at Montjuïc, in the league phase. The Parisians won 2-1 in Catalonia, securing one of the standout results of their campaign. More broadly, PSG has a positive record under the English referee’s direction: he had also refereed the victory at Salzburg (0-3) and the crushing display against Brest (7-0) during the 2024-2025 season, the title-winning campaign.

Oliver, however, did not bring luck to Olympique de Marseille this season: he was in charge during the Phocaeans’ defeat against Olympiacos (0-1) in the Europa League last Thursday.

On the Paris side, uncertainty surrounds the physical condition of Nuno Mendes and Maghnes Akliouche, both injured on Saturday during the victory at Strasbourg (1-3). PSG hopes to have them available for this top-tier European fixture.

The capital club arrives in confidence after its display on Manchester City’s pitch (2-4) in the previous matchday. Barcelona, for its part, is among the main contenders for the Champions League title, which gives this encounter a genuine test value for both teams.