Why Acerbi was furious with Martinez after Inter Milan penalty in win over Barca
Francesco Acerbi was left apoplectic after Inigo Martinez appeared to spit in his direction during Inter Milan’s pulsating Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona.
The three-time European champions looked certain to be heading out of this year’s competition, with Barcelona holding a 3-2 lead on the night, deep into stoppage time at the San Siro.
Goals from Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo and Raphinha gave Barca a narrow advantage after Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu’s earlier efforts in a thrilling second leg.
But veteran Inter centre-back Acerbi, 37, had other ideas, rifling Denzel Dumfries’ cross into the roof of the net to force an added 30 minutes, where Simone Inzaghi’s men prevailed.
Second-half substitute Davide Frattesi was the hero for Inter in the first period of extra-time, curling an exquisite strike beyond Wojciech Szczesny to make it 7-6 on aggregate in front of a frenzied Milan crowd.
While the match is already being hailed as an all-time classic, there were unsavoury scenes at the end of first half after Calhanoglu converted from the spot to put Inter 2-0 in front on the night.
Replays of the immediate aftermath of the penalty appear to show Martinez spit at Acerbi as Inter’s players wheeled away to celebrate the goal.
‘Martinez appears to spit at Acerbi,’ Amazon Prime host Gabby Logan said while watching back the footage.
‘You see there, his head leans forward and it’s been examined by people on social media.
‘Potentially, I imagine, there could be some retrospective justice handed out there.’
Referee Szymon Marciniak spoke to the VAR officials at the time, but they were unable to come to a definitive conclusion, meaning Martinez went unpunished despite Acerbi animated protestations.
There is, of course, the possibility that UEFA could take retrospective steps to discipline Martinez for unsporting behaviour, which could result in a lengthy suspension for the Barca defender.
But speaking in the mixed zone after the game, the Spain international professed his innocence, insisting it was not his intention to spit at his opposite number.
‘It was a useless reaction on my part, but I didn’t spit on him,’ Martinez told reporters.
‘It landed next to him. Otherwise, I would have been sent off. Without a doubt.’
Analysing the footage after the full-time whistle, ex-Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney said a harsh punishment would be ‘deserved’ if it became clear Martinez spat at Acerbi.
‘I can’t see it clearly, whether he has or hasn’t,’ Rooney said.
‘But you certainly don’t want to see that in a football game or anywhere so hopefully that’s not the case.
‘If he has done that then he will have to face his punishment which he would deserve if he has done that.’
The Serie A champions will do battle with one of Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal in this year’s final in Munich on May 31.
PSG hold a 1-0 advantage over the Gunners heading into this evening’s return leg at the Parc des Princes.
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