Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are set to collide at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening in a crucial Champions League Group Stage encounter, but a familiar face will be taking center stage.

UEFA has confirmed that Italian referee Davide Massa will take charge of the match, with Filippo Meli and Stefano Alassio as assistants, Daniele Chiffi overseeing VAR alongside Jerome Brisard, and Matteo Marcenaro as the fourth official.

Massa’s appointment has stirred mixed feelings, especially for Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie. The Ecuadorian international was dismissed by the same referee earlier this year while playing for Bayer Leverkusen in a fiery clash against Atletico Madrid.

That red card, awarded for a second yellow after stopping a counterattack, came during a match where Atletico’s Pablo Barrios was also sent off after just 23 minutes for a reckless challenge adding to the narrative of a game defined by Massa’s disciplinary decisions.

Now at Arsenal on a season-long loan, Hincapie has struggled for playing time due to injury, featuring for just six minutes so far. However, Mikel Arteta confirmed on Monday that the defender is fully fit and in contention to play. “Yeah, he will be available,” Arteta said. “That game (Saturday’s win over Fulham) was too early for him, but now he’s ready to go.”

Despite Hincapie’s past with Massa, Arteta may opt for continuity at the back, especially given Riccardo Calafiori’s strong performances on the left side of defence.

The referee subplot adds an intriguing dimension to what is already a compelling tactical matchup between Arteta and Diego Simeone. The Arsenal boss had high praise for his opposite number ahead of the clash: “What he has done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding. The identity of the team is a direct reflection of him clear, passionate, and relentless.”

Arsenal came into the game boasting a perfect record, having won both of their previous group matches 2-0 against Athletic Club and Olympiacos. Atletico, meanwhile, sits on three points, having rebounded from a 3-2 loss to Liverpool with a dominant 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

With top spot in the group on the line and historical tension between players, the referee, and clubs, Tuesday’s clash promises fireworks both on and off the pitch.