Real Madrid-Ajax: Felix Brych given Champions League clash
The German referee has taken charge of eight Madrid games in the past, with a return of six victories and two draws for the reigning champions.
German official Felix Brych has been assigned to oversee the Champions League return leg clash between Real Madrid and Ajax at the Bernabéu on 5 March as the Dutch side seek to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the opening game in the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Brych, 43, last took charge of a Madrid game last season when he was the man in the middle for the reigning champions’ 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Parc des Princes. More recently, the German made headlines when he sent off Cristiano Ronaldo in the group stage of this year's tournament against Valencia in Mestalla.
Real Madrid have never lost with Brych in the middle
Real Madrid have never been beaten with Brych on the whistle, with a return of six wins and two draws for Los Blancos under the German’s eye. Brych’s most high-profile Madrid game was the 2016-17 Champions League final, when Real beat Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff. He was also in charge when Madrid overcame local rivals Atlético 1-0 in the 2014-15 quarter-finals and Apoel by three goals to nil at the same stage in 2011-12.
Brych also oversaw Real’s 4-0 victory over Tottenham in the last eight in 2010-11, a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in 2012-13 and another by the same scoreline against Milan in the group stage in 2009-10.