Michael Oliver appointed for Real Madrid’s Champions League opener against Inter

UEFA has appointed Michael Oliver to referee Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Inter Milan. The league-phase opener will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, September 8, at 9:00 p.m. CEST.

This will be the English official’s sixth European fixture involving Real Madrid. Los Blancos have recorded three victories and two defeats in the five previous matches he has handled.

THE FULL OFFICIATING TEAM

Oliver will be assisted by fellow English officials Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring. Sam Barrott has been selected as the fourth official.

Scotland’s Andrew Dallas will be in charge of VAR, with England’s Michael Salisbury serving as the assistant video assistant referee. UEFA has therefore entrusted one of the opening round’s most prominent fixtures to a largely English team with considerable domestic and international experience.

Oliver has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2012 and joined UEFA’s Elite category in 2018. He regularly takes charge of major Premier League, Champions League and international fixtures.

OLIVER’S SIXTH REAL MADRID APPOINTMENT

Oliver first refereed Real Madrid in the memorable 2018 Champions League quarter-final second leg against Juventus. Madrid lost 3-1 at home but progressed after Cristiano Ronaldo converted a stoppage-time penalty. Oliver awarded the spot kick for Medhi Benatia’s challenge on Lucas Vázquez and dismissed Gianluigi Buffon for his protests.

Madrid won the following three games overseen by the English referee. They defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup, beat Braga 2-1 away from home and secured a 4-3 victory at Olympiacos last season.

His most recent Madrid assignment was the first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich. Los Blancos suffered a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The overall record is therefore balanced rather than overwhelmingly positive or negative. What stands out is the importance of the matches UEFA has given him, from knockout ties to a European final and now another major continental fixture in Madrid.

MADRID BEGIN ANOTHER EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN

The meeting with Inter will open Real Madrid’s 2026/27 Champions League league phase. History strongly favours the home side at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Madrid have won eight of their nine home games against Inter, including the last seven. Across all 19 meetings between the clubs, Los Blancos have ten victories, Inter have seven and two matches have ended in draws.

By appointing Oliver, UEFA has selected one of its most experienced referees for a game expected to bring intensity from the opening whistle. His ability to manage pressure and control a high-tempo contest will be important as two former European champions begin their campaigns.