International referee Javier Alberola Rojas has been appointed to officiate the match between Sevilla and Atletico Madrid this Saturday at the Sánchez Pizjuán stadium. The fixture, corresponding to the third matchday of La Liga, pits two teams looking to maintain their strong start to the season, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. Atletico, sixth in the table with 4 points, arrive after a draw and a win, with a record of 4 goals scored and 2 conceded. They are just two points behind leaders Barcelona, and this clash against third-placed Sevilla is key to keeping pace in the title race.
What is Alberola Rojas' experience with both teams?
Javier Alberola Rojas is a referee with a long career at the top level. His history with both clubs is extensive. He has officiated Sevilla 21 times in the league, with a record for the Andalusian side of 12 wins, 3 draws, and 6 losses. The last time he refereed them was on matchday 35 of last season, a home game that Sevilla won 2-1 against Espanyol. Their last defeat with Alberola Rojas in charge came on the final day of the 2024-2025 season, a 4-2 loss at the Estadio de la Cerámica against Villarreal.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid has been refereed by him in 20 league matches. The Colchonero record is positive: 11 wins, 5 draws, and 4 defeats. The most recent precedent dates from December 8, 2024, when Atletico won an exciting 4-3 match at the Metropolitano. This is the only direct precedent between the referee and the red-and-white side to date. The VAR for Saturday's match will be Javier Iglesias Villanueva.
What is Atletico Madrid's current form?
Diego Simeone's team approaches this match with a run of results that mixes solidity and room for improvement. Their recent form is draw-win (DW), after starting the season with a point against a tough opponent and then securing a convincing victory. With 4 goals scored and 2 conceded, they show a potent attack but also some defensive vulnerability they will look to correct. This away game represents an important test to consolidate their position in the upper part of the table. You can check the team's detailed performance on our stats page.
What other important matches has he refereed recently?
Last season was very notable for Alberola Rojas. In April, he was the appointed referee for the Copa del Rey final at the Estadio de la Cartuja, where Atletico Madrid lost to Real Sociedad in a penalty shootout. Furthermore, he also officiated the Madrid derby in La Liga at the Metropolitano, a historic match that ended with a 5-2 victory for Atletico over Real Madrid. This season, last weekend, he already refereed his second La Liga match, the game between Málaga and Deportivo de la Coruña. He has also taken charge of one Europa League qualifying phase match and one Conference League qualifier.
What does this match mean for the season?
The clash at the Sánchez Pizjuán is one of the most attractive of the matchday. For Atletico, it is a golden opportunity to take three points against a direct rival and close in on the top spots. A win would allow them, at the very least, to stay within touching distance of Barcelona and put pressure on Sevilla, who start as the home team. The team needs to demonstrate its strength away from the Metropolitano from the start of the campaign. This match is the prelude to a busy schedule that fans can follow on our fixtures calendar. The refereeing performance of Alberola Rojas, with his experience in high-tension matches, will be one more factor to consider in a duel that promises to be intense and decisive in these early stages of the competition.
