FC Barcelona were eliminated from the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League following a thrilling 4–3 loss to Inter Milan at San Siro—one of the most dramatic matches of the season. After the defeat, both midfielder Pedri and head coach Hansi Flick voiced frustration with referee Szymon Marciniak’s performance.
The second-leg clash featured multiple controversial moments, with VAR intervening on key decisions—such as the penalty awarded after Pau Cubarsí fouled Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, and a later penalty claim involving Lamine Yamal that was ultimately overturned. Despite VAR’s involvement, several Barcelona figures expressed concerns about Marciniak’s officiating early in the match.
In an interview with Spanish radio outlet El Partidazo de Cope, Pedri openly questioned the referee’s consistency and suggested a recurring pattern of decisions going against Barcelona: “This isn’t the first time this has happened to us with this referee, and I think UEFA should look into it. There are things that are hard to explain.”
Pressed to elaborate, the Spanish midfielder continued. “There were many situations: every 50/50 went their way, and on the penalty on Lamine—which was later called a foul—he didn’t give Mkhitaryan a yellow card, which would’ve been his second,” Pedri stated.
Pedri’s comments referenced Marciniak’s officiating in a previous Champions League encounter between Barcelona and Inter. In the 2022–23 group stage, Marciniak officiated the dramatic 3–3 draw that contributed to Barcelona’s elimination and subsequent drop to the Europa League.
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Coach Flick echoes Pedri’s sentiments
Barcelona’s latest Champions League exit was a crushing blow to their hopes for silverware. During his post-match press conference, head coach Hansi Flick joined his midfielder in pointing to questionable officiating decisions.
“I know that everyone’s disappointed now that we’re out, but it’s because we invested a lot in this match. We came back again (into the game), and I think some decisions, like the 50/50 were always for Inter, but it’s like that, we have to accept it. It’s football.”
When asked whether he felt the team had been unfairly eliminated, Flick emphasized pride in his players and looked ahead to next season: “I’m proud of my team, we gave everything, and sometimes you fell like it’s unfair because some decisions the referee made were not for our side, but it’s like that.
“We have to accept it, and we’ll start again next season. Winning the Champions League is one of our goals, because the fans deserve it. We’ll be back next season in the Champions League,” the coach added, opening the door to his continuity in Barcelona’s project.
