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A video appears to depict Barcelona player engaging in a heated exchange with an Inter Milan individual, with the former seemingly spitting at the latter.

Rivalry escalates between Barcelona and Inter Milan as Hakan Calhangolu's opponent allegedly spits during the match. Tempers boil over.

,   and  ASMedia
3 min read

A video appears to depict Barcelona player engaging in a heated exchange with an Inter Milan individual, with the former seemingly spitting at the latter.

Sparks flew between Barcelona and Inter Milan as dispute over an alleged spitting incident brewed between rival defenders.

After Hakan Calhanoglu put Inter 2-0 up in the Champions League semi-final's second leg and 5-3 ahead on aggregate, center-back Francesco Acerbi was making his way back to his half when Barcelona's Inigo Martinez seemed to spit in his direction[2]. The alleged transgression went unnoticed by the VAR, potentially sparing Martinez a red card, as such acts are considered an offense warranting a dismissal[3].

Acerbi continued to argue and pointed in Martinez's direction. The angry Italian had to be held back by Barcelona's Pedri and teammates as referee Szymon Marciniak worked to de-escalate the situation.

Martinez later spoke to the media about the incident, stating, "He celebrated in my face. It was an unnecessary reaction from me. But I didn't spit at him. It landed beside him. Otherwise, I would've been sent off. Without a doubt"[4].

Less than six minutes later, the visitors turned the tables on the encounter. Defender Eric Garcia halved the disadvantage in the 54th minute, with Dani Olmo netting the equalizer on the hour-mark.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick decided to err on the side of caution, subbing Martinez off in the 76th minute for Ronald Araujo[5]. However, Barcelona completed the comeback in the 87th minute when Raphinha scored the rebound after his initial attempt was blocked by Yann Sommer. Raphinha's Champions League goal total reached 13 for the season, just one shy of Lionel Messi's record for Barcelona in the competition[5].

In the third minute of stoppage-time, Acerbi fired home Denzel Dumfries' low cross, but picked up a yellow card as a result of his celebration. Superstar winger Lamine Yamal had several chances to score, but both times Sommer thwarted him. One missed opportunity proved costly, as Inter retook the lead in the 99th minute via Davide Frattesi.

The decisive moment came in extra-time, as Frattesi scored another clinical goal inside the box to put Inter 4-3 ahead on the night and 7-6 on aggregate. Substitute forward Mehdi Taremi provided the assist[4].

Despite multiple close calls for Yamal, Frattesi's extra-time goal proved to be the turning point, sending Inter to the Champions League final in Munich on May 31. The Italian giants will be aiming to improve upon their 2023 loss to Manchester City in the final.

Inter will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich, with the Parisians holding a 1-0 aggregate lead heading into the second leg on Wednesday.

Don't miss the full commentary of PSG vs Arsenal on Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT.

Fun Facts:

  • Raphinha's Champions League goal total for the season is just one less than Messi's record for Barcelona[5].
  • Inter has played in the last three Champions League finals, winning once (2022) against Chelsea[4].
  1. The Champions League semi-final witnessed a heated confrontation between Barcelona and Inter Milan, with an alleged spitting incident involving defenders Inigo Martinez and Francesco Acerbi.
  2. Inter Milan took a commanding 5-3 aggregate lead over Barcelona after Hakan Calhanoglu scored, but the Catalans staged a comeback.
  3. In the midst of controversy, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick substitute Inigo Martinez for Ronald Araujo in the 76th minute.
  4. Raphinha scored the equalizer for Barcelona in the 60th minute, bringing his Champions League goal total to 13, just one shy of Lionel Messi's record for Barcelona in the competition.
  5. Inter Milan missed several opportunities to secure the win, but ultimately Dawide Frattesi scored the winning goal in extra-time to send Inter to the Champions League final in Munich on May 31.
  6. Inter will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the Champions League final, with the Parisians holding a 1-0 aggregate lead heading into the second leg on Wednesday.
  7. Referees and managers in sports like football, MMA, and soccer have to manage such heated exchanges and ensure the games proceed fairly and safely.
Temperature escalated between Barcelona and Inter Milan during a match, with a suspected spitting incident involving two opposing defenders. Following Hakan Calhanoglu's goal, tensions rose.
Tensions rose between Barcelona and Inter Milan on the field, with a reported spitting incident involving two opposing defenders. Calhanoglu was the scorer for Inter in the heated exchange.
Rivalry heating up: Accusation of spitting incident amidst tensions between Barcelona and Inter Milan players, especially between defenders after Calhanoglu's goal.

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