On 13 October 2026, UEFA published the list of referees for the European championship matches scheduled for Thursday. AC Milan, which faces Salzburg in the Europa League, will have the Russian refereeing team led by Horatiu Fesnic as its main referee. The Russian referee will be accompanied by a team of assistants, while the VAR will be entrusted to the Englishman Salisbury, who has already operated in various European competitions.
Juventus, however, will move to Celta Vigo for their European challenge. Dutch referee Sander van der Eijk will preside over the match, with the presence of local assistants and an English VAR. The Spanish coach has already expressed confidence in his ability to manage the match, underlining the importance of maintaining concentration in an away match.
Meanwhile, Atalanta is preparing to host Pafos, a Cypriot team, in the Conference League. The match will be refereed by Swede Adam Ladeback, who already has experience in high-level European competitions. Atalanta, who have shown solid form this season, aim to consolidate their position in the European rankings.
These assignments reflect UEFA's desire to guarantee neutral and high-level referees for the most important competitions. The use of referees from different European countries aims to reduce the risk of bias and maintain the integrity of the game. The teams, for their part, will focus on tactical and physical preparation, trying to make the most of the opportunities that will arise in the next matches.
With matches scheduled for Thursday, European teams will have the opportunity to test their strategies in a competitive environment. The outcome of these challenges could influence placement in their respective classes, as well as provide a platform for players to demonstrate their skills against world-class opponents. The next few days of football promise to be decisive for Milan, Juventus and Atalanta, who will have to face important challenges both on and off the pitch.