Barcelona`s young midfielder Gavi has voiced his discontent following the team`s aggregate 7-6 loss to Inter in the Champions League semifinals. The Spanish international suggested that external factors played a role in preventing Barcelona from reaching the final.
“The defeat is hard to swallow, especially considering how close we were,” Gavi expressed on social media. “It seemed as though there were forces at play that didn`t want us in the final, perhaps due to the impressive season we`ve been having.”
Gavi`s comments echo the sentiments of his teammates, coach Hansi Flick, and even club president Joan Laporta, who have all criticized referee Szymon Marciniak`s performance in the match.
The young star remained optimistic about Barcelona`s future prospects, stating, “While our Champions League drought continues, I`m confident we`ll claim the title if we maintain our unity. This season, we still have the opportunity to secure three trophies, which exceeded pre-season expectations.”
Gavi`s teammate Pedri also weighed in, arguing that the majority of contentious decisions favored Inter. He specifically pointed out that Henrikh Mkhitaryan should have received a yellow card earlier in the match.
Despite the disappointment, Barcelona now shifts its focus to domestic competitions, aiming to end the season on a high note with potential victories in other tournaments.
Meanwhile, Inter advances to face PSG in the Champions League Final, scheduled for May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. This marks Inter`s second final appearance in three years, following their 2023 loss to Manchester City in Istanbul.