Referee named for Real Madrid's Champions League opening match against Stuttgart

UEFA has appointed Turkish referee Umut Meler to take charge of the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Stuttgart on Tuesday.

Per Realmadrid.com
Umut Meler will referee Real Madrid's Champions League opening match against Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabéu (Tuesday, 9 p.m.). The Turkish referee will be in charge of a match involving the Whites for the second time, after the Real Madrid-Braga match in the group stage of last year's edition (3-0).

Not only is this the opening match of the 2024–25 Champions League season, but it is also the first game under the competition's new format. This new format renders the first round all but meaningless, but Real Madrid will surely be looking to continue to gain momentum and confidence after a shaky start to the season.

Stuttgart should give them a good chance of securing a convincing win in front of the fans at the Bernabeu.