Alejandro Quintero González, 33, will officiate Barcelona's opening match of the season against Elche at the Martínez Valero this Sunday. He is in his third La Liga season and will be assisted by VAR expert Guillermo Cuadra Fernández.
Experience with Barcelona
Quintero has refereed Barcelona on three occasions, with a record of one loss and two wins. The 0-1 loss came at Montjuïc against Leganés, while the 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad and the 3-0 win against Mallorca gave him a solid reputation in matches with the blue-and-red team.
Notable incidents
In the Leganés match, Quintero had to intervene by sending off Elustondo after a tackle on Dani Olmo. Later, in a Bernabéu clash against Celta, he sent off three players from the white side. In the last match of the season, Fran García was sent off in the 64th minute after receiving two yellow cards in just a minute. In the final stages, Quintero issued a straight red to Álvaro Carreras in the 91st minute for a disrespectful act towards the referee, and also sent off Endrick, who was on the bench, for the same reason.
Reactions and criticism
Since joining La Liga, Quintero has faced criticism from the media, especially after the expulsions in the season's matches. His performance in the upcoming game against Elche will be closely watched by fans and journalists looking to assess his ability to manage a high-profile match.
Upcoming fixture
Barcelona faces Elche in a match that promises to be decisive for the opening phase of the league. With Quintero at the helm of the officiating, both teams must prepare for a game where discipline and refereeing decisions will be key.
Conclusion
Referee Alejandro Quintero, with his track record and experience, faces a significant challenge in overseeing Barcelona's first match of the season. His performance will be crucial for the club's campaign kickoff.
