UEFA have appointed Turkish referee Umut Meler as the man in charge of Tuesday’s match between Real Madrid and Stuttgart in the Champions League.

Per Realmadrid.com
Umut Meler will referee Real Madrid’s Champions League opener against Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabéu (Tuesday, 9 pm CEST). The Turkish referee will be officiating for the second time in a match involving the Whites after the Real Madrid-Braga game in the group stage of last year’s edition (3-0).

This will not only be the opening game of the 2024-25 Champions League season, it will also be the first game under the competition’s new format. This new format makes the first round all but meaningless, but Real Madrid will certainly try to keep gaining some momentum and confidence after a shaky start to the season.

Stuttgart should give them a good opportunity to secure a convincing win in front of the Bernabeu fans.