Inter-Barcelona: Marciniak referees, blaugrana fury. But the Nerazzurri aren’t laughing either
Szymon Marciniak will referee the Champions League return match between Inter and Barcelona, scheduled to take place at the San Siro at 9 p.m. Tuesday night. The burly Polish referee does not bring back happy memories for Nerazzurri fans: Marciniak refereed the Istanbul final in 2023, lost by Inter to Manchester City, and the return leg of the round of 16 against Atletico Madrid last season, lost by Inzaghi’s men on penalties.
L’Inter has won only twice with the Polish manager, reaping four defeats and three draws (two just with Barcelona).
Paradoxically complaining about the designation, however, is the Blaugrana environment: the Catalan media preemptively attacked Marciniak, calling him “a Real Madrid” fan and adverse to Barcelona.
The Pole was in fact the protagonist of the ’controversial episode of Julian Alvarez’s penalty cancelled due to the Argentine’s double touch in Atletico-Real, and he also came into the crosshairs during the Real-Bayern semifinal last season.
