It was supposed to be another step toward European redemption. Instead, it turned into a nightmare.
crashed out of the Champions League in dramatic fashion on Tuesday night, falling 5-2 on aggregate to Norwegian outsiders . And when the dust settled, frustration boiled over — especially for Nicolo Barella.
But what truly raised eyebrows? His post-match comments about a controversial moment involving earlier in the competition.
From Contenders to Casualties
Few saw this coming.
After impressive wins over and during the league phase, Inter looked like genuine contenders. Yet Bodo/Glimt — whose domestic season runs through the Arctic calendar — delivered a stunning blow.
A 3-1 defeat in Norway set the tone. Back at the iconic , hopes of a comeback were crushed as the visitors secured a 2-1 victory. Goals from Jens Petter Hauge and Hakon Evjen put the tie beyond reach before Alessandro Bastoni grabbed a late consolation.
For manager Cristian Chivu and his squad, it was a bitter ending.
Barella’s Frustration Boils Over
After the final whistle, Barella admitted Bodo/Glimt deserved their triumph.
But he didn’t stop there.
The Italian midfielder turned his attention to a controversial decision from December — Inter’s narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool. According to Barella, that moment changed everything.
He referenced a late penalty awarded after went down inside the box following contact from Bastoni. VAR intervened, the referee reviewed the incident, and the spot-kick was given.
stepped up and converted.
That single goal, Barella suggested, ultimately cost Inter a top-eight finish in the league phase — forcing them into additional fixtures, including the trip to Norway that ended their campaign.
His message was clear: without that decision, Inter’s European path may have looked very different.
A Painful Pattern in Europe
Inter’s elimination adds another chapter to a run of near-misses in Europe.
In recent seasons, they’ve reached two of the last three finals — falling 1-0 to in 2023 and then suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat against .
Now, instead of building momentum toward continental dominance, the project appears to have stalled following last summer’s managerial shake-up.
What Happens Next?
Was Barella right to revisit that Liverpool incident? Or was this simply frustration spilling over after a shocking defeat?
One thing is certain — Inter’s European dream has ended earlier than anyone expected. And the fallout from this exit could shape the club’s future in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
The Champions League never forgives. And this time, Inter paid the ultimate price.
Autho
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