Howard Webb, the well-known British referee who oversaw the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa, will arbitrate Wednesday's Champions League match between Real Madrid and Schalke 04. Webb last refereed a Real Madrid match in the side's 2-2 draw with Juventus in the away leg in Turin.
Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely to receive much generosity from Webb as he typically allows for a more physical game and avoids calling fouls in favor of tricky dribble artists like CR7. In fact, even Sweden midfielder Sebastian Larsson banked on his team's ability to "go in a bit harder" on Cristiano during last year's qualifier with Portugal because Howard Webb was the man making the decisions. Webb sent off Cristiano during the Portuguese's tenure with Manchester United after Ronaldo handled the ball claiming he'd heard a whistle, and while he considers the winger a "fantastic player," there is always an underlying tension between Webb and Ronaldo that makes these games quite interesting.
Regardless of who referees Real Madrid's matches though, the responsibility to take care of business ultimately falls on Carlo Ancelotti and his players, and Madridistas worldwide look forward to the return of the Champions League this Wednesday in the Round of 16 away leg to Schalke 04.
Hala Madrid!