Thursday’s European schedule gives Juventus, Milan and Atalanta three different tests, with the appointment of the match officials now completing the preparations around their league-phase fixtures.
Juventus host Rennes with a perfect start to protect
Juventus welcome Rennes to the Allianz Stadium in Turin at 18:45 on Thursday 22 October, in the third round of the Europa League league phase. Luciano Spalletti’s side arrive having taken maximum points from their opening two matches, while the meeting also brings attention to the two benches occupied by Spalletti and Ruben Amorim.
- Danish official Morten Krogh has been selected to referee Juventus against Rennes.
- Steffen Bramsen and Victor Skytte will work as his assistants, with Jacob Karlsen named fourth official.
- Benjamin Brand of Germany will oversee VAR, assisted by England’s Stuart Attwell.
- The Turin match will be Krogh’s tenth Europa League assignment and his first in the competition this season.
- The Silkeborg referee has worked in Danish professional football since 2012 and has not previously taken charge of either Juventus or Rennes in international competition.
Milan travel to Bournemouth
Milan’s Europa League programme takes them to the Vitality Stadium, where Bournemouth await. Greek referee Vassilis Fotias will handle the fixture.
- Andreas Meintanas and Michail Papadakis, both from Greece, have been appointed assistant referees.
- Alexandros Tsakalidis will be the fourth official.
- Dennis Higler of the Netherlands will lead the VAR team, alongside Austrian assistant Alan Kijas.
- Fotias, born in 1989, will make his fifth Europa League appearance.
- He first refereed in the tournament during last season and began his professional career in 2018.
- Neither Bournemouth nor Milan has previously had Fotias as referee.
Atalanta return to Conference League action in Amsterdam
Atalanta are also in action on Thursday, travelling to the Johan Cruijff Arena for a 21:00 Conference League meeting with Ajax. It is the second matchday of the competition’s league phase.
Maurizio Sarri’s team return to Europe after a convincing victory over Pafos and a defeat to Milan. Portuguese referee Antonio Norbe has been chosen for the Amsterdam contest.
- Norbe will take charge of Ajax versus Atalanta on Thursday evening.
- His only earlier match involving an Italian club came in the 2024/25 Conference League play-off second leg between Puskas Akademia and Fiorentina.
- That tie finished 1-1 after extra time, before Fiorentina progressed on penalties.
