Inter Milan manager Simeone Inzaghi has singled out Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong as the standout player in their Champions League semi-final clash on Tuesday.

The thrilling match, which ended 4-3 in favor of Inter after extra time, featured goals from Lautaro Martinez, Hakan Calhanoglu, Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and Francesco Acerbi. However, it was Davide Fratessi’s extra-time strike that secured Inter’s place in the final.

Inzaghi, speaking after the game, was full of praise for de Jong, who impressed him throughout both legs of the tie. Despite the attention on Barcelona’s young talent, Lamine Yamal, Inzaghi highlighted the Dutch midfielder’s exceptional performance.

“A lot was said about Yamal, but I saw another incredible player over these two matches who wasn’t available the last time we played them,” Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia. “Frenkie de Jong impressed me just as much as Yamal. He’s brilliant at controlling the ball, his timing with passes is spot-on, and he’s just wonderful to watch.”

Inzaghi added that, while he wouldn’t trade any of his players, he found de Jong to be truly sensational over the two legs.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick reflected on his team’s narrow 4-3 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday, offering insight into why they came up short.

Inter Milan took a 2-0 lead by halftime with goals from Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu. Barcelona responded strongly in the second half, with Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo scoring to level the match, before Raphinha gave the visitors a 3-2 lead. But Inter quickly equalized through Francesco Acerbi, sending the game into extra time. In the first half of extra time, Davide Fratessi found the net to secure Inter’s spot in the final.

In his post-match interview, Flick expressed his disappointment at being eliminated but praised his team’s effort. He acknowledged that Inter Milan had defended well and had a dangerous striker in Martinez.

“I’m very disappointed that we’re out, but I’m not disappointed with my team’s performance. They gave everything,” said Flick. “We’re out this year, but we’ll come back stronger next season, and we’ll make our fans and the club proud.” Flick also gave credit to Inter Milan, calling them a solid team with strong defensive qualities and a top-class forward in Martinez.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed his frustration with Polish referee Szymon Marciniak after his team’s 4-3 loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

Flick, visibly disappointed, felt that Marciniak favored Inter Milan in every 50/50 decision throughout the match at San Siro. The game ended 3-3 after 90 minutes, with goals from Lautaro Martinez, Hakan Calhanoglu, Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and Francesco Acerbi, sending the match into extra time. However, Inter’s Davide Fratessi found the back of the net in extra time, sealing their place in the final.

“We were really good in the second half, and I don’t want to focus too much on the referee, but every 50/50 decision went in their favor,” Flick said in his post-match interview. “We gave everything we had, but in the end, that’s how it went, and it made me a bit sad.”

Although Flick chose not to discuss the specifics of his conversation with Marciniak, he did make it clear that he had already shared his thoughts with the referee privately. Barcelona now shifts focus to their upcoming La Liga clash against Real Madrid in the El Clasico this Sunday.