Five days have passed since the Barça delegates convened, and the discussion centered on the events at Milan following the 1-0 loss to Inter. The same words that Xavi used after the match echoed through the room, as Barça faces new pressure to keep European dreams alive. The ongoing arbitration controversy drew sharp reactions from the club’s leadership, culminating in a public challenge to UEFA. The Barça president labeled the situation with the word shame on more than one occasion, underscoring his frustration with what he viewed as improper officiating.
Barça faces a difficult path in Europe regardless of the optimism that remains within the club. The leadership stresses that failure to advance would have caused significant consequences, both financially and spectrally. The potential 20 million euro economic impact loomed large, alongside the risk of missing out on the European stage that could influence the club’s sporting momentum in the coming seasons.
Barça made a strategic case for its course in Europe, arguing that the team has the means to contend for a place in the knockout rounds. The leadership’s message to the European bodies asserted that the matter deserves thorough review. The club cites missed calls and a refereeing sequence during the Giusseppe Meazza meeting as part of the argument, pointing to perceived gaps in the match assessment that affected the outcome.
‘Clear penalty for Lewandowski’
The leadership also voiced a preference for reform discussions, suggesting that the sport could benefit from more professional structures. The comments touched on controversial moments beyond the major incidents, including a disallowed goal involving Pedri and a handball incident that some viewed as not properly reviewed by VAR. The message emphasized a belief that there was a clear penalty that deserved attention, a claim framed as evidence of inconsistent officiating in the fixture.
“I don’t plan to stay out of the Champions League, we think we can beat Inter, Bayern and Viktoria with the team we have”
The club’s leadership remains resolute about its strategic direction. There is no appetite for another extended absence from Europe’s elite competition. The president stated that the squad is capable of defeating the trio of Inter, Bayern, and Viktoria with the current roster, a stance that aligns with a broader plan to secure qualification. The call to Xavi and the team is for steady progress and decisive performances on the field, ensuring that the team remains a credible challenger in the campaign ahead. This perspective is shared by those close to the operation, who view the current squad as poised to meet the challenge and rejoin the group of European elite in the most immediate future. [Citation: Barça internal review and public statements following the Milan match]