Maresca appointed referee for pivotal Serie A clash between Atalanta and Juventus
The Italian Referees Association (AIA) has appointed Fabio Maresca to officiate the crucial Serie A match between Atalanta and Juventus this Saturday. The Napoli-born referee 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 assistant VAR.
The fixture carries immense weight in the race for Champions League qualification, with Juventus needing a positive result to maintain pressure on their rivals. Atalanta, a side of undoubted quality, also views the match as decisive for their own season ambitions, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter at the Gewiss Stadium.
Maresca's historical record with the two clubs provides an intriguing subplot. According to statistics from his prior matches, Juventus have enjoyed considerable success under his oversight, winning 13 of the 19 games he has officiated for them, drawing two and losing four. Atalanta's record with Maresca in charge is less dominant, with nine wins, four draws, and three defeats from 16 matches.
However, the most recent high-profile meeting between these teams with Maresca as referee remains a point of contention. In last season's 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 this weekend.
Maresca is no stranger to the spotlight in Italian football. He was famously the subject of an outburst from former Inter manager Antonio Conte during a match in 2020, a moment that became a lasting meme in Italian sports culture. Maresca has since stated the matter was clarified and is now water under the bridge. He has also been part of professional decisions regarding appointments in his native Naples, with referees Guida and Maresca having previously chosen not to officiate Napoli matches due to the intense personal scrutiny involved.
The VAR team for Saturday also brings its own history with the clubs. Di Paolo was the video official during a controversial Juventus-Inter Coppa Italia semi-final in 2023, which featured a disallowed Juventus goal and a penalty awarded to Inter, followed by the sending off of Romelu Lukaku. Camplone, as AVAR, was part of the team for Juventus's 3-0 Coppa Italia loss to Atalanta this season, a match that included a disputed handball penalty awarded against Juventus defender Bremer.
The full slate of officiating appointments for Serie A's 32nd matchday was confirmed by the AIA, with other key fixtures including Como-Inter, to be refereed by Massa, and Roma-Pisa under Feliciani. The focus, however, will be firmly on Bergamo, where Maresca's decisions could significantly impact the European landscape.
