Joan Laporta has hit out at match referee Szymon Marciniak after [Barcelona’s Champions League exit at the hands of Inter](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/barcelona-uefa-champions-league/2025/5/6/24423298/inter-milan-barcelona-champions-league-final-score-match-report-recap-reactions).
[Manager Hansi Flick](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2025/5/7/24425135/every-50-50-decision-went-for-inter-hansi-flick-speaks-out-after-barcelonas-champions-league-exit) and Pedri have already criticised Marciniak for his performance at San Siro, and Laporta think it’s the reason his club aren’t in the final.
> “The more than 4,000 fans who travelled to Milan deserve everything. But also to all the Catalans who throughout the season are supporting our players and Hansi so that they can achieve the objectives we have set ourselves,” he told Barca One.
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> “Between all of us we have to make them recover their mentality to win LaLiga. Yesterday it wasn’t to be: we fought to get it and reach the final in Munich but it wasn’t to be. Basically because of refereeing decisions that harmed us but this has to make us stronger in order to have the right mentality.”
Laporta admits it’s a difficult time right now for the players but called on fans to give them all their support ahead of El Clasico.
> “We will return to the Champions League and compete to win it. Well, it’s a very hard moment, because yesterday’s defeat, as I say, we had it within reach and it wasn’t to be, we fought to get it, it wasn’t to be, but I do see Barça proud of this team, proud of what is being done, which is a team that has a present and a future, and that gives us strength, it gives us strength because...” he added.
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> “I call on Barça fans to give that warmth, to encourage the team so that this Sunday we can win the match against Madrid, which is key to winning La Liga.”
Hansi Flick did give most of his squad off on Wednesday after the game, although it’s been reported a number of players, including Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Frenkie de Jong, still all came in to train.