Barcelona defender reflects on what happened with Dumfries in Inter loss – ‘It was a foul’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s young defender Gerard Martin has emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the season.

With 42 appearances across all competitions, one goal, and six assists to his name, the left-back has become a key figure in Hansi Flick’s squad.

But despite an impressive campaign that brought silverware in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa, the 23-year-old still carries the pain of one particular moment.

In a recent interview with Radio MARCA, the Barcelona defender looked back on the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, a clash that ended in heartbreak for Barcelona.

One moment that stood out was a controversial challenge from Denzel Dumfries that preceded Francesco Acerbi’s goal.

The Moment that still haunts him

Martin didn’t hold back when asked about the play. “For me, it’s a foul,” he said. “I was about to cut the ball off. My foot was already in the air, and he puts his foot in above my ankle.”

Gerard Martin says Dumfries found him. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

His frustration was clear, believing that the contact affected his ability to defend properly, ultimately leading to Inter’s goal.

The defender admitted he rewatched the footage several times in the days that followed. ” I watched the action replayed several times, wondering if I could have done anything differently,” he shared.

Still, Martin was proud of his overall display in the match, where he delivered two assists and played with maturity beyond his years. He may lack experience, but he has shown he belongs on the biggest stage.

Though the season ended without the Champions League, Martin made it clear that the real objective remains Europe’s top prize. “We know it’s been a very good season, but we felt so close. That thorn is still there,” he said.

With his performances this season, Gerard Martin has shown he is ready to be part of the solution next year. For him, lifting the Champions League trophy is no longer a dream, it is the next step.