Poland Referee Saved By VAR On Number Of Occasions In Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona Clash | OneFootball

Szymon Marciniak failed to meet expectations in last night’s high-octane Champions League showdown between Inter Milan and Barcelona.

Per Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the Polish referee had VAR to bail him out several times.

Indeed, his on-field decisions were not always spot-on, especially when they seemed to favor Barcelona.

It wasn’t a flawless display from one of Europe’s most highly-rated officials, but VAR did its job.

Otherwise, it could have been a very different outcome for Inter, with some key calls going in Barcelona’s favor.

VAR Bails Szymon Marciniak Out of Trouble in Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona

DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 23: Referee Szymon Marciniak looks on during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Germany and Italy at Football Stadium Dortmund on March 23, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

First of all, Marciniak should’ve pointed to the spot without VAR’s intervention toward the end of the first half.

It was a clear foul on Lautaro Martinez, yet the Pole only awarded a penalty to Inter after reviewing the incident.

Furthermore, he instantly gave Barcelona a penalty for Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s tackle on Lamine Yamal.

However, VAR overturned his decision as the challenge occurred outside the box.

Yet, Marciniak refused to book the Spaniard, even though he probably spat at the Inter center-back.