Who is Slavko Vincic, referee for Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid, Champions League quarter final second leg?

Real Madrid’s season hangs in the balance and this evening’s quarter final return leg against Bayern Munich could determine whether Álvaro Arbeloa’s side finish with silverware or not.

Bayern hold a 1-2 lead from last week’s first leg, and have home advantage and for that, start out as favorites. But we have seen Madrid bounce back when the odds have been against them many times - and overturn even bigger deficits in this competition.

Bayern and Madrid boast a combined 21 European crowns between them and have met 29 times in the continent’s top club competition. Madrid’s visits to Munich over the years have been anything but easy - the first seven trips all ended in defeat. Madrid have beaten Bayern at home just three times in 14 visits - the most recent in the 2017/2018 semi-finals.

In charge of tonight’s return leg will be Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic. He made his Champions League debut in December 2016 - the matchday 6 clash between Manchester City and Celtic. This will be his 50th Champions League game.

Vincic‘s record against Bayern and Madrid

Vincic knows both clubs well - especially Bayern. He has officiated five games involving the German giants - four of them in the knockout stages, with a balance of three wins and two draws.

He has been in charge of four Real Madrid games in the competition, including the 2024 final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley - in which Los Blancos won their most recent title. An overall balance of three wins and one defeat (at home to AC Milan in last year’s group stage).

As far as discipline goes, Vincic has handed out 179 yellow cards in this competition and sent four players off - with Hugo Lloris and Chancel Mbemba both shown direct reds. He’s given six penalties in total, including one for Madrid in the 1-3 defeat to Milan in October 2024.

Vincic will be assisted at the Allianz Arena by his compatriots Tomaz Klancnik, Andraz Kovacic and fourth official David Smajc. Dutch officials Pol van Boekel and Dennis Higler will be in the VAR room.

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