ekane
In one of the most dramatic Champions League encounters in recent memory, Barcelona midfielder Pedri has called for UEFA to launch a formal investigation into referee Szymon Marciniak following his team’s agonizing 7-6 aggregate defeat to Inter Milan.
The Catalan giants saw their European dreams shattered in heart-wrenching fashion at the San Siro on Tuesday night, with controversy surrounding key decisions that ultimately contributed to their elimination.
Controversial Decisions Mar Epic Contest
Barcelona were just 3 minutes away from booking their place in the Champions League final when disaster struck. Leading 3-2 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate, they conceded a stoppage-time equalizer through 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi that forced extra time.
The equalizing goal has become the focal point of Barcelona’s complaints, with players and staff adamant that Gerard Martin was fouled in the build-up to Acerbi’s close-range finish. Slow-motion replays appear to support their grievances, showing significant contact that went unpunished by Polish referee Marciniak.
Extra-Time Heartbreak
Inter’s Davide Frattesi delivered the final blow in extra time with a clinical finish past Barcelona’s Wojciech Szczesny, completing a remarkable 4-3 victory on the night and 7-6 win on aggregate.
Despite throwing everything at their Italian opponents in the closing stages, Barcelona couldn’t find an equalizer that would have sent the tie to penalties.
Pedri Leads Calls For Action
“What happened tonight demands explanation,” Pedri told reporters in the mixed zone. “We battled until the last second only to have crucial decisions go against us. UEFA must review this performance.”
The 21-year-old midfielder, who played all 120 minutes of the exhausting encounter, was visibly distraught as he questioned several key decisions that went against Barcelona.
This elimination marks Barcelona’s 3rd consecutive season failing to reach the Champions League final, a statistic that will only compound the pain of Tuesday’s controversial exit.
Inter Milan now advance to their first Champions League final since 2010, when they last lifted the trophy under José Mourinho.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings