Referee Maresca appointed for crucial Atalanta-Juventus Serie A clash
Fabio Maresca has been appointed as the referee for the pivotal Serie A encounter between Atalanta and Juventus this Saturday. The Italian Referees Association (AIA) confirmed that Maresca will be assisted by linesmen Berti and Dei Giudici, with Zufferli as the fourth official. The VAR booth will be manned by Di Paolo, with Camplone serving as the AVAR.
The appointment brings significant historical context to a match with major implications for the Champions League race. Juventus, locked in a fierce battle for a top-four finish, faces a direct rival in Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium. The fixture is considered a potential decider for the European aspirations of both clubs, with Juventus needing a victory to maintain pressure on the teams around them.
Maresca's record with Juventus is notably positive. According to statistics cited by Italian sports media, the Neapolitan official has overseen 19 matches involving the Bianconeri, who have recorded 13 wins, two draws, and four losses in those games. His record with Atalanta is less favourable for the Bergamo side, with nine wins, four draws, and three defeats in 16 matches he has officiated.
However, the most recent high-profile fixture involving these two clubs under Maresca's watch remains a point of contention. In the 2023/24 Coppa Italia final, which Juventus won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Dusan Vlahovic, Maresca did not award a penalty for a challenge by Atalanta's Isak Hien on the Serbian striker. While Juventus lifted the trophy, the incident sparked protests over a perceived officiating error, a memory that may resurface for fans ahead of this league meeting.
Maresca is one of Italy's most recognizable referees, partly due to a famous incident during the COVID-19 pandemic. While refereeing an Udinese versus Inter match in an empty stadium, then-Inter coach Antonio Conte was heard shouting "It's always you, Maresca, it's always you," a phrase that became an iconic meme in Italian football. Maresca has since expressed affection for the meme in an interview with Corriere della Sera, noting the matter was clarified immediately after the match.
The officiating team's VAR, Di Paolo, also has recent history with Juventus. He was the video official for a Juventus-Lazio match earlier this year where Douglas Luiz avoided a red card for a push on Patric, a decision that then-referee designator Gianluca Rocchi described on OpenVar as involving "non-accidental actions and gestures we don't like." Di Paolo was also the VAR for the explosive 2022/23 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg between Juventus and Inter, which featured a disallowed Juventus goal and a penalty for Inter converted by Romelu Lukaku, who was subsequently sent off.
For Atalanta, the involvement of AVAR Camplone may also draw attention. He was the video assistant for this season's Coppa Italia quarter-final where Atalanta defeated Juventus 3-0, a match that included a controversial penalty awarded to Atalanta for a handball by Juventus defender Bremer. The appointment of such a experienced but historically involved team adds an additional layer of scrutiny to a match where the margins for error are virtually non-existent for either side in their pursuit of Champions League football.
