Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz will take charge of Maccabi-Juventus in the Champions League today. Here’s a profile of the experienced Spanish referee.
The 45-year-old has been an international UEFA referee since 2011 and will officiate a Juventus match for the third time in his career today when the Bianconeri visit Maccabi Haifa.
It’s a must-win match for the Old Lady, who has lost two games and won one in the Champions League Group H.
Juventus have won both their previous games with the Spanish official on the pitch.
Lahoz was in charge of Italy’s World Cup playoff against Sweden at San Siro in 2017. It ended in a 0-0 draw which prevented the Azzurri from qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
He is regarded as one of the best referees in Spain. He took charge of a Copa Del Rey Final in 2013-14, won 2-1 by Real Madrid against Barcelona. The same result as the 2012-13 Spanish Supercup Final, also refereed by Lahoz, between the Merengues and the Catalans.
More recently, he oversaw the Champions League Final between Chelsea and Manchester City in 2021.
His most recent game in Europe’s elite competition was Napoli‘s 3-0 win over Rangers on September 14. Last season, Lahoz showed a red card to Inter striker Alexis Sanchez in the Nerazzurri’s 1-0 win at Anfield which was not enough for Simone Inzaghi’s boys to go beyond the Round of 16.
Overall, the Spanish official has taken charge of 271 games in La Liga and 49 in the Champions League, including 10 in the playoffs.
In 2018 he was the Spanish representative at the World Cup in Russia.