FC Barcelona hosts Atlético de Madrid this Tuesday, November 2nd (9:00 PM CEST) for matchday 19 of LaLiga, with Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea as the referee. The Bilbao-based official was appointed by the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) alongside Pablo González Fuertes (VAR).

This season, De Burgos refereed the Barça-Getafe in matchday 5 (3-0), a game where the Catalan team received two bookings. Raphinha and Andreas Christensen were cautioned along with four other players from the 'Azulón' team. Atlético, for their part, had the Basque referee as the main official in their narrow victory against Osasuna (1-0) on the ninth matchday

The designation of the 39-year-old referee was striking, as he officiated the Girona 1-1 Real Madrid match in Montilivi on Sunday. With this, the referee will only have 48 hours of rest before the advanced match of matchday 19, due to the dispute of the Spanish Super Cup.

How has Barça fared with De Burgos Bengoetxea as referee?

In total, De Burgos Bengoetxea has refereed 33 Barça matches in LaLiga, with a favorable record for the Catalans: 27 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses. Atlético, on the other hand, has seen the Basque referee in 35 opportunities, with a balance of 24 wins, 7 draws, and 4 defeats.

In the 25/26 season, Ricardo de Burgos refereed the two league matches between the Blaugrana and the 'Colchoneros'. On matchday 18, Aleti surprised Barça at Montjuïc (1-2). Later, on matchday 28, Hansi Flick's team took revenge with an epic comeback (2-4)

Previously, in the 2016/17 season, the Basque also refereed a Barça-Atlético match, but it was in the Copa del Rey semifinals. The game ended with a victory for the Catalans (1-2), a result that paved the way for their qualification to their fourth final and third consecutive crown, against Alavés (3-1).

The Basque referee, along with Pablo González Fuertes, was in charge of officiating the Copa del Rey final. De Burgos also refereed the last edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy, which ended with a Barça thrashing against Como 1907 (6-0).

Barça's record in matches refereed by Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea:

  1. Games: 33
  2. Wins: 27
  3. Draws: 1
  4. Losses: 5

Barça seeks fifth straight league win to solidify leadership

For Barcelona, Tuesday's match at Spotify Camp Nou represents a true 'final' for the LaLiga lead. Both teams arrive separated by only 3 points and in great form in the tournament. Flick's team is going for their fifth consecutive victory, while the 'rojiblancos' also come from winning their last six matchdays

If they win the match brought forward from matchday 19, Barça can solidify their lead, which they recently regained last weekend. On Wednesday, Real Madrid will face another difficult away game after three consecutive draws on the road. Xabi Alonso's team will travel to Bilbao to face an Athletic side that, in 24/25, defeated Los Blancos 1-0 at their stadium.