The Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund brought tears. Not on the French side, but for Daniele Orsato. The Italian referee officiated his last match in European club competition.
Just like in their previous home encounter, Borussia Dortmund managed to secure a victory at Parc des Princes with a slim margin of 0-1 against Paris Saint-Germain.
This crucial win propelled the German powerhouse into the prestigious Champions League final at Wembley Stadium, sparking scenes of considerable celebration among the visiting team and their supporters.
While Dortmund's triumph stirred excitement, poignant moments unfolded on the pitch, particularly involving Daniele Orsato, the match referee. After the game concluded, Orsato, overcome with emotion, embraced his assistant referees tightly as he struggled to hold back tears. This reaction was not just due to the high stakes of the match but also signified a personal milestone for Orsato.
At 48 years old, Daniele Orsato is approaching the twilight of his refereeing career. He is scheduled to officiate at the upcoming European Championship in Germany, an event that is likely to mark the culmination of his professional journey in top-tier football officiating. Anticipation is building around the possibility that Orsato will announce his retirement from refereeing following the tournament, drawing the curtain on a distinguished career.
Throughout his tenure, Orsato has been a central figure in European football, having refereed 55 Champions League matches. His experience and poise were on full display during the 2019/20 Champions League final in Lisbon, where he officiated the high-profile match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, with Bayern emerging victorious. As Orsato prepares for his final appearances on the international stage, the football community watches with respect and admiration for his contributions to the sport.
