LONDON -- Italian referee Pierluigi Collina is to take charge of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg clash between Manchester United and Real Madrid on Wednesday, European soccer's ruling body UEFA said on Monday.

Real take a 3-1 advantage into the game after the first leg.

Collina, who took charge of the World cup final between Brazil and Germany in Japan last June, has been voted the best referee in a number of polls.

He earned praise from FIFA President Sepp Blatter for his handling of the World Cup final, which Brazil won 2-0 to lift a record fifth title.

The instantly recognizable bald Italian is well known in England after officiating in some of the national team's better performances, including their 1-0 win over archrivals Argentina in the World Cup group phase last year and their 5-1 qualifying win over Germany in 2001, Reuters reported.

Spain's Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez will referee Wednesday's other quarterfinal clash between AC Milan and Ajax Amsterdam.

In today's quarterfinals England's Graham Poll takes charge of Barcelona's tie against Juventus and Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen will officiate in the match between Valencia and Inter Milan.