{"id":40013,"date":"2025-05-07T03:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T01:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weisetech.dev\/fc-barcelona-noticias\/en\/surgical-marciniak-5-controversies-of-inter-barca-match_312511_102\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T11:31:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:31:08","slug":"surgical-marciniak-5-controversies-of-inter-barca-match_312511_102","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fcbarcelonanoticias.com\/en\/football\/champions-league\/surgical-marciniak-5-controversies-of-inter-barca-match_312511_102.html","title":{"rendered":"A Surgical Marciniak: The 5 Controversial Decisions That Eliminated Bar\u00e7a"},"content":{"rendered":"

The refereeing performance in the Inter-Bar\u00e7a (4-3) match left many damaging controversies against the ‘cul\u00e9s’. Was Szymon Marciniak responsible for the ‘azulgrana’ elimination? Discover the analysis of each play<\/h2> \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n Calendar of FC Barcelona <\/a>\r\n<\/div>

The referees Szymon Marciniak (Poland) and Dennis Higler (Netherlands) had a very controversial performance in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona (4-3)<\/a>.<\/p>

For the most part, the refereeing errors harmed a Bar\u00e7a that, despite this and going into halftime down by two goals, was only two minutes away from qualifying for their first final<\/a> of the Champions League in the last decade.<\/p>

Next, we review one by one the five controversial actions that tipped the balance against the ‘azulgrana’ team at the Giuseppe Meazza. As Hansi Flick said in the post-match press conference<\/a>: every controversy always favored the Italians.<\/p>

\ud83e\udd45Acerbi’s Handball Inside the Area Not Reviewed<\/h2>

\"Imagen\"<\/p>

The first controversial action of the match occurred in the 25th minute. After a clear arrival of Bar\u00e7a on the right, a shot by Dani Olmo hit the left hand of central defender Francesco Acerbi<\/strong>, but Marciniak considered that the ball, although it touched the defender’s arm, occurred after a previous rebound between the turf and his torso. The VAR, on this occasion, did not call the Pole to review the play.<\/p>

\u26bdVery Dubious Penalty by Cubars\u00ed on Lautaro <\/h2>

Then, on the edge of halftime, the VAR did intervene to sanction a penalty by Pau Cubars\u00ed on Lautaro Mart\u00ednez<\/a>. The ‘2’ of ‘cul\u00e9’ slid to avoid the shot of the Argentine striker and, although he got to touch the ball first, Marciniak, who initially had given the right to the Catalan, changed his mind after reviewing the play on the monitor, after a call from the VOR room.<\/p>

Finally, Hakan \u00c7alhanoglu took charge of the penalty<\/strong>, deceiving Szczesny with a crossed shot. Thus, Inter went to halftime with a 2-0 partial.<\/p>

\ud83d\udda5\ufe0f\ud83d\udca5 The VAR had to intervene in the Inter Milan – Barcelona match.

\ud83d\udc49\ud83c\udffb Cubars\u00ed hits the supporting foot of Lautaro Mart\u00ednez when the striker was preparing the shot.

\u2705 IT IS A PENALTY.

\u25aa\ufe0f As a result of the hit, it is the Argentine’s foot that deflects the ball when being swept by the defender. pic.twitter.com\/6BDpCHbyZT<\/a><\/p> \u2014 Archivo VAR (@ArchivoVAR) May 6, 2025<\/a> <\/blockquote> <\/div>

\u274cClear Penalty Annulled by Mhitaryan on Lamine<\/h2>

The most serious error, without a doubt, came in the 68th minute. Mkhitaryan knocked down Lamine Yamal inside the area in a foul that caused the Armenian footballer to be booked<\/strong>. The main referee did not hesitate to sanction the penalty and book the ’22’ of Inter. However, the call from the VAR made the Polish judge reverse his decision.<\/p>

\ud83d\udda5\ufe0f\ud83d\udca5 Very serious error by the VAR in the action between Mkhitaryan and Lamine Yamal.

\ud83d\udc49\ud83c\udffb There are two contacts in the action, one outside the area and a second on the line.

\u274c IT IS A PENALTY.

\u25aa\ufe0f Marciniak correctly signaled the penalty but Dennis Higler, in the VAR, changed his decision. pic.twitter.com\/HWiyMrX3CJ<\/a><\/p> \u2014 Archivo VAR (@ArchivoVAR) May 6, 2025<\/a> <\/blockquote> <\/div>

And it is that, after the warning from the Dutch Dennis Higler in the VOR room, Marciniak went to see the action on the monitor. The referee chose to signal the foul on the edge of the area, considering in the first instance a previous touch on the supporting foot of the ‘cul\u00e9’ winger<\/strong>, although the entry that caused the fall of the ’19’ ‘cul\u00e9’ occurred on the line of the area.<\/p>

In this regard, the IFAB rules establish that the lines that delimit the areas (including the small area and the penalty spot) are part of the entire goal area<\/strong>. That is, when sanctioning a penalty, if an infraction occurs on the line of the large area, it is appropriate to sanction a penalty.<\/p>

Regarding the intervention of the VAR in the penalty on Lamine:<\/h3>