FC Barcelona hosts Girona this Saturday (4:15 PM CEST) for matchday 9 of LaLiga, with Jesús Gil Manzano as the referee. The referee from Extremadura was appointed by the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) along with Juan Luis Pulido Santana (VAR).

Last season, the experienced referee, a First Division judge since 2012, was in charge of officiating the Spanish Super Cup final in Arabia, where Barça crushed Real Madrid (2-5) to take the trophy.

That day, the referee from Extremadura sent off Wojciech Szczesny in the second half, with the match already decided in favor of the Blaugrana team. He also officiated the match of matchday 30 against Betis (1-1) in Montjuïc.

How has Barça fared in matches refereed by Jesús Gil Manzano?

Szczesny leaving the field after receiving the red card in the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid

In total, Jesús Gil Manzano has refereed 43 Barça matches in the last 13 seasons. The balance favors the Catalans, with 27 victories, 8 draws, and 8 defeats. In the league match against Betis, the Extremaduran had an exchange with Raphinha, who was previously verbally reprimanded by the linesman.

Girona, meanwhile, has played 13 league matches with the 41-year-old referee as the main official. The balance for the 'albirrojos' is 4 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses. In their last two matches against the Barça team, Míchel's side suffered heavy defeats (1-4 in Montilivi and 4-1 in Montjuïc).

Barça's record in matches refereed by Jesús Gil Manzano:

  1. Matches: 43
  2. Wins: 27
  3. Draws: 8
  4. Losses: 8

Barça needs a victory against Girona to regain the LaLiga lead 

For the Barça team, the derby represents the obligation to win to return to the path of triumph, after the tough and unexpected defeat in Seville (4-1). The defeat at the Sánchez Pizjuán made Hansi Flick's team lose the lead, but a victory on Saturday will return them to the top of the standings.

At least temporarily, pending what happens on Sunday between Getafe and Real Madrid at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez (21:00 CEST). Barça currently has 19 points, a couple less than 'Casa Blanca' (21). Girona, meanwhile, has only accumulated 6 points and remains in the relegation zone (18th).