Barcelona should learn Inter lesson rather than complaining about referee | OneFootball

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick and his players were highly critical of referee Szymon Marciniak, but Lorenzo Bettoni argues the Catalans should learn a lesson from the Nerazzurri rather than complain.

Inter-Barcelona was one of the most incredible ties in football’s history, and saw the Nerazzurri qualify for the Champions League Final for the second time in three years after a memorable 7-6 aggregate win.

The second-leg semifinal at San Siro was even more remarkable than the opening tie played in Barcelona last week. Once again, the Nerazzurri took a two-goal lead but could not nullify the Catalans’ attacking threat, who equalised in the second half and took a one-goal advantage in the dying minutes.

The barely five minutes between Raphinha’s goal and Francesco Acerbi’s dramatic equaliser was the only period in which the Catalans led the Nerazzurri across the two legs. This alone says enough about the Nerazzurri’s performance and attitude, which had already emerged pretty clearly in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich.

Overall, Inter proved to be a complete side, as the avid Serie A followers already know. They not only have experience and quality, but they also know how to adapt to any moment of the game. Simone Inzaghi’s men know how to press high or defend deep. They can be incredibly dangerous with long balls and building up from the back.

They are tough physically, dynamic in midfield and have very strong individuals and depth in defence. Many may think they qualified for the Champions League Final in the Italian way, by parking the bus, but to be fair, the Nerazzurri showed the best version of themselves when they managed to push Lamine Yamal and his teammates outside their box.

There were moments when they were forced to sit deep, and avoiding it against a team filled with quality like Barça was frankly impossible. However, again, the Serie A giants adapted to their opponent and to the different moments in the game and proved to be smarter than the Catalans.

Barcelona had the game in their hands in the final minutes, yet they conceded Acerbi’s goal from a counter-attack, leaving the Italian defender against just one opponent inside the box. They wrongly complained about a possible Denzel Dumfries foul, who, on the contrary, was hit by Gerard Martín instead.

epa12078787 FC Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick gestures next to the fourth official Pawel Raczkowski during the UEFA Champions League semifinal 2nd leg soccer match between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona, in Milan, Italy, 06 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI

Barcelona were very vocal about Marciniak’s decisions. Instead, they should have focused more on themselves and, among other things, reflect on why Flick made an attacking substitution in the final minutes, introducing Robert Lewandowski for Ferran Torres rather than taking a more cautious approach.

Many football fans may find it strange these days, but the game is not only about attacking. It’s about relying on your strength and quality and knowing your opponent. This is what Inter have done best this season, especially in the Champions League, where they had already beaten Arsenal and Bayern Munich before the Catalans.

Inter star Alessandro Bastoni pointed out only a few days ago that while Inter may not be individually stronger than Barça, PSG, or Arsenal, they can collectively beat them all.

The Nerazzurri don’t have dribblers like Yamal, Bukayo Saka or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but their organisation and high focus on big European nights are equally vital. Clearly, they also have quality and physicality in attack, with Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez. I still believe they are two of the most underrated strikers in Europe, not being as eye-catching as some of the most appreciated forwards on the Old Continent.

Barcelona proved they have just one way to play football, and it’s clearly remarkably good, yet Inter proved to be more complete. The way they qualified for the Final should also serve as a warning for PSG or Arsenal, who will meet Inzaghi’s men in the Final on May 31.