The meeting between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais, crucial for access to the semifinals of the Europa League, will be arbitrated by Switzerland’s Sandro Schärer, a name likely to revive bad memories among the Lyon fans. The latter had already officiated in the final quarter return of the Confederation Cup in 2022, where OL had suffered a severe defeat against West Ham (0-3) after a one-way draw, a performance that contrasts with the team’s current ambitions. The anecdote highlights the importance of referees in the conduct of competitions and the psychological impact they can have on players.

The experience of 36-year-old Schärer is undeniable, having already led high-level matches in both the Confederation Cup and the Champions League. He will be assisted by his compatriots Stéphane De Almeida and Jonas Erni, while Lionel Tschudi will be the fourth official. A video device composed of Fedayi Sanet and Christian Dingert will complete the arbitration team, ensuring rigorous technological supervision of the game. The Swiss arbitrator was also at the whistle of the Supercoupe d’Europe in 2024, an additional proof of his recognition in the European scene.

The game that awaits Corentin Tolisso’s teammates in Old Trafford, nicknamed the Dream Theatre, has a stake similar to that of the match against West Ham two years ago. The story repeats itself, with Sandro Schärer again in the center of the field, ready to influence the course of the encounter. The Lyons hope that this time the result will be different and that they will succeed in overcoming this major challenge in the Europa League.