Three takeaways from Inter 4-3 Barcelona | UEFA Champions League | OneFootball

Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League journey came to a crushing end after a 3-4 loss to Inter Milan in the second leg of the semi-finals.

The Catalan side put in a brave performance, coming from 0-2 down to lead 3-2, only to fall short in the dying moments and suffer elimination in extra time.

Despite the attacking firepower on display, Hansi Flick’s men were undone by repeated defensive mistakes and a string of controversial refereeing decisions.

The game at San Siro was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with highs and lows that perfectly summed up Barcelona’s European campaign.

Let’s break down the two key aspects that defined the match and what lies ahead for Barça.

Defensive woes continue to haunt Barcelona

Barcelona have thrilled fans this season with free-flowing, attacking football. But in the biggest moments, their defence has let them down. Against Inter Milan, it was the same story again.

Barcelona were let down by poor defending. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Barça conceded four goals, including a heartbreaking equaliser in stoppage time by Francesco Acerbi, which forced extra time. That goal shattered the team’s momentum, and from then on, it was clear Inter had the upper hand.

This wasn’t a one-off. It was the latest in a series of matches where Barcelona’s backline looked shaky. In their last seven official games, they have let in 16 goals—a worrying trend for a team aiming to be among Europe’s elite.

The problems began in the second leg of the quarter-finals against Dortmund, where Barça lost 1-3. Despite a 4-3 win over Celta, the defensive errors were clear again. Only against Mallorca did the team manage to keep a clean sheet.

The Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid was another example. Barça conceded twice after the break, both from set pieces, showing they struggle to stay sharp in key moments.

The first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter, which ended 3-3, also highlighted how vulnerable they are when under pressure.

In Milan, the pattern continued. The defence was caught out when it mattered most, and Inter capitalised.

Poor refereeing decisions add to the frustration

While Barcelona’s defence played a big part in the defeat, many fans and even the coaching staff pointed fingers at the refereeing. It felt like every 50/50 call went Inter’s way, and that added fuel to the fire of an already emotional night.

Refereeing decisions were quite controversial. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

One of the biggest talking points came when Lamine Yamal was brought down in the box. It looked like a clear penalty, but the referee waved play on.

To make matters worse, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who made the tackle, was not even booked. Later, in the lead-up to Inter’s third goal, Gerard Martin appeared to be fouled by Denzel Dumfries. Again, the referee ignored it, and VAR didn’t intervene either.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was clearly upset. “I don’t want to talk too much about the referee,” he said, “but every decision that was 50/50 went to them.” It was a rare moment of frustration from a coach who usually keeps his calm.

Even outside the club, there were strong reactions. Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s head of global football development, criticised the use of VAR. He argued that replays in slow motion change the nature of decisions.

“You can’t referee in slow motion,” he said. “At full speed, Cubarsi’s tackle on Lautaro Martínez was clean. But once you show it in slow motion, it looks worse than it is.”

It wasn’t just one or two moments. Throughout the match, Barcelona were on the wrong end of several close calls.

These decisions didn’t decide the match alone, but they certainly played a role in how things turned out. In games of this level, fairness is key, and Barça will feel they didn’t get that.

Eyes now turn to El Clasico and domestic glory

With their Champions League run over, Barcelona must now focus on what remains of the season.

Barcelona must focus on the El Clasico. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

There is no more chance for a treble, but a domestic double is still very much on the table. The next big challenge? El Clasico against Real Madrid at Montjuic this coming Sunday.

The players are clearly tired—both physically and mentally—but they need to regroup quickly. This match could decide the La Liga title. A win would not only lift spirits but also give fans something to celebrate after a heartbreaking European exit.

This team, written off by many at the start of the season, has already won the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.

Adding La Liga to that would mark a hugely successful season. It would also give them a strong foundation to build on for next year’s Champions League.

As Flick said after the Inter game, it is time to move forward and plan for next season. But before that, the players must give everything in the final league matches. They owe it to the fans, who have stood by them through highs and lows.

Barcelona may have fallen short in Europe, but their journey is not over. The squad still has a chance to finish the season on a high, and that starts with beating Real Madrid this weekend.