*Epic Battle: Inter Mauls Barça, Advances to Champions League Finale in a Historical Thriller*
Harsh Treatment for Barça: Controversial Refereeing Decisions
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In an epic semifinal showdown, Inter Milan emerges victorious, knocking out Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona and securing a spot in the Champions League final in Munich. This electrifying 3:3 draw in the first leg saw both teams raising the stakes, culminating in Inter's 4:3 (2:0) triumph in extra time, making this clash of titans a historic first in Champions League semifinal scoring records.
Spain
Marca: "A crushing blow for Barça. The headlines will focus on Lamine, but the real standout performer in this game was Sommer. An unforgettable game, showcasing the impressive talents of the Swiss goalkeeper."
Football Super Coach Flick's Inter Charm: Barça Eliminated in Spectacular Fashion AS: "A heartbreaking end for Barça."
Mundo Deportivo: "Barça fights with grace in Milan after an incredible rematch. In a 0:2 deficit, Barça struggles as Marciniak's refereeing raises eyebrows, but a scandalous Acerbi goal in extra time puts Inter ahead, with Frattesi scoring the final 4:3 goal."
El Mundo: "Ruthless fate for Lamine's Barça. Inter marches on to the Champions League final following a phenomenal duel."
Sport: "A hymn to football history. Respect to Barcelona and Inter for delivering an epic encounter, tainted by several questionable decisions by Polish referee Marciniak."
Sport Spectacular CL Departure for Barca Flick: "50/50 always for Inter - but that's how it goes."
Italy
Gazzetta dello Sport: "An unforgettable night, an endless Inter: They crush Barça in extra time and advance to the final! Inter's dreams soar on. After 120 minutes of everything, the San Siro is bathed in ecstasy."
Tuttosport: "INTERMINATOR! The year is Inter's."
Corriere dello Sport: "Insane, extraordinary, legendary, emotional: Choose your adjective for this endless Inter. The San Siro is awash with tears and joy."
Corriere della Sera: "A masterstroke by Inter, now they take flight to the Munich final. The San Siro explodes with delight."
Portugal
A Bola: "If football had existed in the 16th century, this game would have been a masterpiece by da Vinci. (...) Are you still breathing? An impossible 120 minutes passed between Inter and Barcelona."
Record: "An unrivaled spectacle between Inter Milan and Barcelona in the Champions League semifinal. A true ode to football."
Football "We Must Accept" This Time, Flick Laments Over "Cruel" Knockout and Ref
France
L'Equipe: "AMAZING. If there was a wish for UEFA, it would be not to wait another 15 years for a Champions League semifinal between Inter and Barcelona."
England
BBC: "Inter defeats Barcelona in a timeless classic."
Daily Mail: "Unfiltered madness - the best Champions League semifinal ever."
Blick: "One can only thank Yann Sommer for this breathtaking match. While people may recall the first leg as unsurpassable, this return game raises the bar. 2:0 for Inter, then 3:2 for Barca, and in the end, it's extra time, where Inter takes control again, winning a thrilling 4:3."
Source: ntv.de, ter/sid
- FC Barcelona
- Champions League
- Inter Milan
- Some questionable calls made by referee Szymon Marciniak during this semifinal raised controversy.
- In the 26th minute, a handball by Francesco Acerbi seemed to go unnoticed by the referee, frustrating Barcelona.
- In the early stages of the match, Inter was awarded a disputed penalty, which created a pivotal moment in the game.
- A penalty initially given to Barcelona was overturned, causing more agitation among the Barcelona team.
- There was a strong appeal for a penalty when Denzel Dumfries allegedly fouled Gerard Martin. Despite the appeal, no call was made.
- These decisions led to calls for a UEFA investigation on the referee's performance.
Community aid is necessary to address the deficit in understanding and interpretation of European leagues' sports rules, particularly following the controversial refereeing decisions in the Inter Milan vs FC Barcelona Champions League semifinal. Szymon Marciniak, the referee, made several true questionable calls during the match, such as awarding a disputed penalty to Inter, failing to call a handball by Francesco Acerbi, and overturning a penalty initially given to Barcelona. These incidents have prompted calls for a UEFA investigation into Marciniak's performance. True sports fans acknowledge the exciting thriller between these champions, but the integrity of the match demands closer scrutiny.
