Barcelona managed to secure a narrow 2-1 win over Real Valladolid, but the result has done little to silence growing concerns about Hansi Flick’s decision to heavily rotate his squad, especially with a pivotal Champions League clash fast approaching.
The Catalan giants are bracing for a do-or-die fixture in Italy, where fans eagerly hope the team can book their place in Europe’s most prestigious final, following a tense 3-3 draw in the first leg at Montjuïc Stadium.
Spanish outlet El Nacional reports that UEFA has appointed Polish referee Szymon Marciniak to oversee the decisive second-leg encounter between Inter Milan and Barcelona, scheduled for Tuesday evening at the iconic Giuseppe Meazza.
The decision has sparked debate within the Barcelona camp, given both the high stakes and Marciniak’s recent controversial moments on the European stage.
Widely recognized as one of the finest referees in world football, Marciniak boasts an impressive résumé, having officiated the 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France, as well as the UEFA Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan and the FIFA Club World Cup final.
However, despite his accolades, his recent performances have drawn scrutiny. One incident that raised eyebrows was his failure to award a penalty to Julián Álvarez during a Madrid derby in the Champions League.
Additionally, during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Bayern Munich in the second leg of the 2023–24 semi-final, Marciniak’s assistant prematurely raised his flag and halted play after Matthijs de Ligt found the net for Bayern — a mistake for which the Polish referee later issued an apology.
Marciniak’s record when officiating Barcelona games isn’t particularly reassuring either. In five previous matches, the Catalan side has registered just one victory, alongside two defeats and two draws. His track record with Inter Milan includes two wins, four losses, and three draws, adding another layer of unpredictability to this already tense fixture.
Adding to Barcelona’s unease is the appointment of Dutch referee Pol van Boekel to oversee the VAR duties. Van Boekel has been involved in several contentious decisions affecting Barcelona in recent seasons, notably during their group stage loss to Inter Milan and against Bayern Munich in the 2022–23 campaign.
He was also criticized for failing to call a clear foul by Karim Benzema on PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma in a dramatic Champions League comeback, an error that drew sharp criticism in the Netherlands.
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