Barcelona’s hopes of a historic quadruple were dashed following a dramatic 4-3 extra-time defeat to Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, culminating in a 7-6 aggregate loss. Despite the setback, manager Hansi Flick expressed unwavering confidence in his team’s resilience and future prospects.
In a post-match interview, Flick praised his players’ dedication, stating, “I’m proud of my team, we gave everything. Sometimes, it’s like that. We have to accept it and start again next season.” He emphasized that winning the Champions League remains a primary goal for the club.
The second leg at San Siro was a rollercoaster of emotions. Inter initially led 2-0, but Barcelona mounted a comeback with goals from Eric García, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha, taking a 3-2 lead in the 87th minute. However, Inter’s Francesco Acerbi equalized in stoppage time, sending the match into extra time, where Davide Frattesi scored the decisive goal.
Controversy surrounded the officiating, particularly decisions by referee Szymon Marciniak. Barcelona contested a VAR-awarded penalty to Inter and a rescinded penalty for themselves, along with a potential handball and a foul in the build-up to Inter’s equalizer .
Despite the disappointment in Europe, Barcelona remains in contention for a domestic treble. Having secured the Spanish Super Cup with a 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in January and the Copa del Rey with a 3-2 win over their archrivals in April, the team leads La Liga by four points .
Looking ahead, Barcelona faces Real Madrid once more this Sunday in a pivotal La Liga match. Flick remains optimistic, stating, “We will give everything. When the players look in the mirror, they can be very proud.”
Advertisement