Former Inter Milan Player Slams ‘Undeserved’ Loss Against Liverpool: ‘A Nonexistent Penalty’ | OneFootball

Former footballer Marco Tardelli has delivered a sharp assessment of Inter Milan’s Champions League defeat to Liverpool, arguing the Nerazzurri were punished by a decision that never should have stood.

Speaking to La Stampa, via FCInterNews, the former Italy midfielder reviewed the performances of Italian clubs in Europe.

Indeed, he was particularly critical of the incident that decided Inter’s match at San Siro.

Tardelli: ‘Inter Did Not Deserve To Lose To Liverpool’

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Tardelli believes the 1-0 loss came down to what he described as “a nonexistent penalty,” awarded to Liverpool by Felix Zwayer.

He said Inter “lost undeservedly,” noting that the decision sparked widespread debate and resurfaced discussions about Zwayer’s suitability for top European fixtures.

According to Tardelli, the referee “perhaps, for the honour of the sport, did not deserve the Champions League.”

He was not the only one critical of the decision, with many pundits and former players slamming Zwayer’s call.

He also turned his attention to Napoli, who fell to Benfica in another disappointing result for Serie A.

Tardelli suggested the Partenopei “looked tired, without soul,” despite recent signs of improvement and the perception that Mourinho’s Benfica were not the toughest opponent on paper.

With injuries piling up, he argued that “sometimes a fit substitute is better than a tired starter.”

For Inter, his verdict was clear: performance deserved more, but the officiating left them with nothing.