Barcelona were eliminated 7-6 on aggregate by Inter in the Champions League semi-final, in an encounter that will live long in the memory. For the Blaugrana though, the bitter feeling extended beyond just their elimination and towards the officials.
After the match, Szymon Marciniak’s performance was under heavy scrutiny, with several big calls going Inter’s way. The context behind Barcelona’s frustration with the Polish official is that Marciniak was also in charge during a crucial draw at the Giuseppe Meazza two years ago, missing a clear handball from Denzel Dumfries in the penalty box.
‘It’s not the first time it’s happened to us with him’ – Pedri
“This isn’t the first time this has happened to us with this referee. UEFA should look into it. There are things I don’t understand and they are complicated,” Pedri told Marca after the match.
“For me, the penalty call on Lamine, he has to send off Mkhitaryan, who already had a yellow card. But there are a lot of decisions.”
Meanwhile Eric Garcia was the player required to give his post-match reaction on the pitch immediately after the final whistle, and he also had sour memories of Marciniak.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with this stadium. I’ve been here three times, and for one reason or another, or because of something beyond our control, things haven’t gone our way. We all know what happened with this referee the last time we came here.”
Fellow defender Inigo Martinez was also unimpressed with what he saw from the officials.
“Everyone saw today that the decisions always went the same way. Although we don’t want to blame him. We hold our heads high.”
Anger within Barcelona because of the refereeing last night. They feel like Cubarsí's tackle wasn't a penalty, that they should have received one for a Acerbi handball, and another for a foul on Lamine Yamal that was initially given, but later overturned, and that Dumfries…
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 7, 2025
While Ronald Araujo claimed there was a foul in the build-up to Inter’s equaliser in stoppage time. He was asked whether the referee had anything to do with the result.
“I think so. In the 3-3 play, it was a foul on Gerard Martín; he went for the ball and was not allowed to contest it. But we shouldn’t make excuses; we have to keep our heads up. This team has a direct mentality and is a generation that will surely win many Champions Leagues.”
However Wojciech Szczesny was unwilling to criticise his compatriot after defeat to Inter, as he told Canal+ Poland, and was cited by Sport.
“I know that in the event of a defeat, people usually talk about the referee’s performance, but I don’t intend to cling to that. There’s no need to make excuses. Things will be discussed, but it’s not worth going down that path.”
“It was close, and I honestly thought there was no penalty at all,” he noted on the decision to give a penalty against Pau Cubarsi.
“But apparently Pau didn’t touch the ball, so a penalty was awarded. It was a quick decision, and that’s how it was decided. There’s nothing more to say.”
Hansi Flick also critical of Marciniak
Manager Hansi Flick has tended to steer clear of refereeing controversies this season, asking people in Spain to support the officials. However he also felt wronged by Marciniak, complaining about the marginal calls, and receiving a yellow card for his troubles during the game.
As just a fan who watched the game,, it was clear to mee that Inter received their bulk of the calls/non-calls in their favor.
Isn’t this the same team that called out Real Madrid on referee talk?
Just in case anyone wonders why other team fans despise Fc Barcelona.
Sczenzy the only grown-up it seems!
Pedri has gotten confused – Mikhytaryan was not on a yellow and did get a yellow card for that foul.
Eric Garcia’s suggestion of bribery or some other corruption by Inter are the words of an idiot.
There was a VAR check in the Acerbi handball.
The foul in the build up to the equaliser? again they need to watch it back.
They are making silly comments while emotional in the aftermath of the game
Losers always have something to say or complain about. The referee was firm, solid and was not intimidated by the expletives and bad gestures by Barca players and officials towards him. If the ref took exceptions to their antics and obscene gestures and he followed the rules to the letter many barca players would had been booked. They intimidate refs in Laliga and get away with many fouls with unmerited free kicks and other favours and they tot it would be so in UEFA games? No way. I love the officiating and the ref should be applauded. The Eric Garcia comments should be investigated and sanctioned if found guilty to send messages to others like him in barca and in other clubs in Europe. Once they lose they cry foul and allege bribery and hatred, forgetting that they are in fact good at those. Inter never complained of anything especially in the first half when they were on the offensive towards barca goal post and the ref blew for half- time. Inter were business- like, they knew their mission was not to complain but to work and win and they did just that. I’m not a fan of any of the teams yesterday but a neutral and I just love good football.