Referee Danny Makkelie Takes the Stage in Salzburg
Danny Makkelie is the referee at Salzburg – Dinamo. – Photo: KNVB Media
Ah, folks! It’s time for some proper football theatrics as UEFA has rolled out Danny Makkelie to officiate the clash between Red Bull Salzburg and GNK Dinamo Zagreb. The match is set to unfold tonight at 9 p.m. in the vibrant Red Bull Arena—let’s hope they’re serving up some thrilling football, not just Red Bull energy drinks!
The Referee Quartet: A Stand-Up Act?
Makkelie isn’t flying solo—he’s got his trusty sidekicks Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries along for the ride. Joey Kooij gets to be the fourth official—as if he’d managed to snag the last slice of pizza at a referee’s convention. Meanwhile, Rob Dieperink is stationed as VAR, ensuring that every questionable call gets extra scrutiny. Because, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to ruin the surprise by checking the replay?
Pressure Cooker: Champions League Stakes
Now, let’s talk about the stakes in this match: Red Bull Salzburg is searching for redemption after a somewhat rocky start, losing their first two matches. That’s like bringing a banana to a knife fight! On the other side, Dinamo Zagreb is sitting pretty with a whopping one point—a record they might cherish like a fine wine, or maybe a bottle of cheap plonk. Let’s just say, neither team can afford to get any more points rusty than a two-legged chair.
Ruperti en Manschot: A Dynamic Duo!
Not to overshadow Makkelie, our heroes Clay Ruperti and Jeroen Manschot are also set to strut their stuff in the Champions League as VAR (the all-seeing eye) and AVAR (the buddy on speed dial). They’ll be keeping tabs on Stade Brest vs. Bayer Leverkusen, starting at 6.45 p.m. in France. Isn’t it quaint? It’s almost like the Super Bowl of refereeing—minus the commercials and halftime show.
A Reunion in Leipzig!
In Leipzig, we’ve got a classic reunion brewing as Lutsharel Geertruida faces off against his former trainer, Arne Slot, when RB Leipzig takes on Liverpool. The Swiss maestro Sandro Schärer will don the main whistle, with Pol van Boekel eagerly watching from the VAR chair. It’s just like watching your ex at a party—you can’t help but look but hope they don’t see you!
Young Talent Shines in the Youth League!
Last but not least, shoutout to Marc Nagtegaal, who is taking charge in the Youth League, officiating the thrilling showdown between Olympiacos and JK Tallinna Kalev. It’s a bit of a Football Academy version of ‘Survivor’—let’s see who makes it out alive! Supported by Rens Bluemink and Murat Kücükerbir, with a Greek being the fourth official. It sounds like a recipe for *some* Greek flair or perhaps a plate of baklava if they get hungry.
In Conclusion
So, here we are, on the brink of a night filled with passion, tension, and possibly a few questionable calls. As Makkelie and his team prepare to step onto the pitch in Salzburg, we can only hope they won’t be as yellow-card happy as a toddler in a candy shop. Here’s to a match that will give us something to laugh, cheer, and debate about for weeks to come!
