According to reports, when one minute of extra time in the second half of the Inter Milan vs. Barcelona match had passed, Hans-Dieter Flick called Robert Lewandowski. In a brotherly manner, as he always does during substitutions, the German coach hugged his star striker before he entered the pitch. He did the same for Ferran Torres, the substitute player. This is not a usual gesture.

Flick, with his decisions and also his human management, which is often forgotten in football, won the dressing room over. But what seemed like a dream ending turned into a nightmare. In the final moments, Dumfries brought down Gerard Martín. The academy player fell to the ground, looked at the referee, and shouted that a foul had been committed, a foul that, although probable, was never replayed, hardly whistled in Europe, especially in a move that leads to the host’s goal.

Another one-on-one duel between Achraf Hakimi and Ronald Araújo ended in favor of the Nerazzurri, and the Italian defender wrote his name in Champions League history. Barcelona’s overwhelming superiority in the second half never returned. Fatigue affected both teams, some players couldn’t even return to defensive positions after their efforts. Flick, logically, used the bench. In addition to Lewandowski and Araújo, Héctor Fort, Pau Víctor, Fermín, and Gavi were added. These were the most reasonable substitutions given Flick’s available options. Ansu Fati didn’t play a single minute, as this would require replacing Lamine Yamal or Raphinha, but they didn’t deliver.

Except for Fermín, the other substitutes didn’t have much impact on the team’s performance. The cases of Araújo and Fort were particularly painful. That in 2025 Iñigo Martínez is much more reliable than the Uruguayan defender is a credit to the Spanish defender and a blow to Araújo. Fort, who replaced Eric García, who had a fantastic performance as a temporary right-back, seemed overly excited in this position.

The 18-year-old Fort seemed overly excited in this situation. But the harshest criticism was directed at Araújo, who, after coming close to leaving in the winter, faces a turbulent summer. In extra time, Inter seemed fresher. Barcelona had no idea. Their commander was missing. Without a father, there is no celebration. The importance of this midfielder becomes especially clear when he is absent. This is what Barcelona showed in the final minutes.

Lewandowski was physically at his limit, fighting with his heart, but lacked precision. The rest of the players passed the ball to Yamal and hoped for another brilliant performance from him to save the team. This is a lot of pressure for a star who seems destined to win many Ballon d’Ors in the future, but let’s not forget that he is only 17 years old.

The Champions League that slipped away

From the affection in the 90th minute to the broken hugs. Flick’s hugs trying to console his players. Yamal’s serious face with a lost look promised revenge in the future. He told his friend Fort: “We still have many years ahead.” It’s hard to argue with him. The room for improvement is enormous, but the Champions League has shown that football owes no one.

Flick also acted like the cliché of coaches against controversial refereeing: “I don’t want to talk about the referees, but…” Those buts that always come out of coaches’ mouths. Most of the controversial scenes in the match favored Inter (no foul called on Martín, penalty on Lautaro, VAR correction on Yamal’s penalty…). The Italians were also angry in extra time when a clear opportunity in their favor was whistled too early. Szymon Marciniak, a familiar name for Barcelona fans, is now known in Barcelona as the number one referee. Football without controversy is meaningless.

Barcelona was by far the best team in this competition. In a tournament that, strangely, usually doesn’t go to the best team. To win the title, you don’t have to convince it, you have to snatch it from the opponent. This time, Inter bit harder, didn’t let go of the rope, and now will face Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in the final, with a great chance for the team led by Luis Enrique.

No comparison can be made with previous European disasters against Roma, Paris, or Liverpool. If Barcelona or any other team had to lose, the best way was what was shown at the Giuseppe Meazza. But the feeling is that Flick, when he touched the trophy, let it slip away. The defensive weakness that has plagued the team for weeks was not compensated by the attacking talent.

Now the league remains, and for that, they must quickly prepare psychologically for the match against Real Madrid, with a four-point lead and four weeks left. Without expecting it, Ancelotti’s team believes in its chances. Using the fallen tree for firewood seems like an attractive idea at Real.