Inigo Martinez denies spitting attack on Acerbi
It's now clear why Inigo Martinez and Francesco Acerbi clashed so violently during Inter's 4-3 win over Barcelona. Will there be any repercussions?
Brawlers: Francesco Acerbi (left) and Inigo Martinez had a lot to say to each other on Tuesday evening. IMAGO/NurPhoto
Referee Szymon Marciniak was certainly happy to blow the whistle for halftime on Tuesday evening. In stoppage time, Inter Milan had doubled their lead against FC Barcelona from the penalty spot after a justified VAR intervention, and emotions ran high. At the center of the action were Inigo Martinez and Francesco Acerbi , who were furiously about to attack each other, thus instigating a brawl.
During the semifinal second leg, the cause of the intense excitement wasn't entirely clear. But once the 123-minute spectacle was over and Inter were confirmed as 4-3 winners and Champions League finalists, it wasn't long before video footage emerged that shed some light on the situation.
While Hakan Calhanoglu was waiting to take the penalty, Inigo Martinez and Acerbi clashed on the edge of the penalty area. The Barca defender was apparently trying to unsettle Calhanoglu. After Calhanoglu, unfazed, converted safely, Acerbi couldn't resist running past Inigo Martinez in celebration. And then?
Marciniak leaves it at admonitions - and makes Acerbis' celebration possibleFootage suggests that the latter spat in Acerbi's direction, leaving his teammates barely able to stop him. Although Marciniak communicated with his video assistant Dennis Higler (Netherlands), he limited himself to admonishing the referee. Inigo Martinez also denied any wrongdoing after the match. "Acerbi celebrated the goal in my ear, and I got angry. But the spit wasn't directed at him." However, it is not ruled out that UEFA will revisit the incident.
The fact that both escaped without a yellow card at least had a positive effect on Acerbi. It gave him the space he needed to take off his shirt after Inter's late 3-3 draw, which they managed to take into extra time.
