Barcelona is gearing up for a pivotal clash against Inter Milan next Tuesday at the iconic Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final. Before that, however, the Catalan side will make a La Liga stop at the José Zorrilla Stadium to face Real Valladolid in Round 34.
Despite this domestic engagement, the primary focus within Hansi Flick’s camp remains firmly on the decisive European encounter against the Italian giants. The tie is delicately balanced following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg at Montjuïc, leaving everything to play for in Milan.
As the decisive fixture approaches, Barcelona is hopeful that key players Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski will be fit in time to feature, given their potential to significantly influence the outcome. Yet, alongside fitness updates, attention within the club has shifted to a fresh development from UEFA that could potentially sway the direction of the match.
According to reports from Polish outlet Meczyki, referee Szymon Marciniak is the leading candidate to officiate the crucial fixture.
This news has stirred unease among Barcelona supporters, who recall several controversial moments from Marciniak’s past matches, particularly those involving Real Madrid. One recent incident saw Marciniak disallow a goal from Julian Alvarez during a penalty shootout against Real Madrid, a decision that attracted widespread criticism.
Though UEFA has yet to officially confirm Marciniak’s appointment, Spanish sports outlet Sport notes growing anxiety among the Blaugrana faithful, with the official announcement expected by Sunday. Marciniak, despite being an experienced and UEFA-recognized referee, carries a contentious history in fixtures featuring both Barcelona and Real Madrid, which has only heightened fans’ apprehensions.
The Polish referee has overseen five Barcelona matches in the past, with the team managing just one victory, alongside two draws and two heavy defeats — notably a 3-0 loss to Juventus and a 4-0 hammering by Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
He also officiated a high-stakes 3-3 draw between Barcelona and Inter Milan in the 2022 Champions League group stage, a result that ultimately led to Barcelona’s exit from the competition.
Adding to the tension is a circulating image of Marciniak taken before a Real Madrid Champions League match, which has fueled further speculation over his impartiality. Nevertheless, Hansi Flick’s squad is determined to focus solely on their performance and secure a place in the final, undeterred by external factors or officiating concerns.
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