FC Barcelona has just suffered a painful elimination in the Champions League semifinals against Inter Milan. What was most surprising in Eric García's statements was his attitude toward the elimination and his vision of the game.
What caught many people's attention was his reference to referee Szymon Marciniak and his unexpected stance on his teammate Ronald Araújo.
The Disappointment After the Elimination
Eric García's sadness was evident. The young Barça defender couldn't hide his frustration after being knocked out of the Champions League.
Although Barcelona offered a great image in the second half of the match, the final result was not favorable. The aggregate score ended up favoring Inter, and the European dream of the blaugranas faded away.
"Soccer has been very cruel to us," said Eric García after the match. With a somber tone, he acknowledged that the team was superior in the second half, but the tie became complicated after Inter's equalizing goal in the last minute. For the defender, the 2-0 that the Italians achieved in the first half was a hard blow, but Barça knew how to react.
Referee Marciniak, an Old Acquaintance
A topic that didn't go unnoticed in Eric García's statements was his comment about Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who officiated both semifinal matches. Barça's center-back recalled that it's not the first time the referee has played a controversial role in the team's matches.
"We all know what happened with this referee last time," said Eric, making it clear that Marciniak's decisions are not usually well received by the culés. However, despite the evident complaint, the defender didn't focus all his frustration on the referee and instead centered his speech on the team's attitude and work.
A Barça That Moves Forward
Despite the pain of elimination, Eric García showed an optimism that surprised many. In his words, the elimination won't be an insurmountable obstacle for Barça in their goal of continuing to grow.
"We are Barça, and there are no transition years," highlighted the defender. This phrase underscores the team's winning mentality, which despite the difficulties, continues forward with their heads held high.
"It's not a consolation, but soccer is cruel," insisted Eric, adding that the team was "very hurt." Even so, he highlighted the team's ability to react. The fact that Barça was superior in the second half, after conceding the 2-0, is something he pointed out as a sign of the team's mental strength.
Not Pointing Fingers at Araújo
One of the key moments was when Eric García, despite the defensive errors, didn't point fingers at anyone in particular. Instead of focusing on criticism toward his defensive partner, Ronald Araújo, Eric maintained a very respectful stance. Although he was asked about the possible mistake by the Uruguayan in Inter's equalizing play, Eric was cautious, avoiding the temptation to point at a teammate.
"That's soccer," said Eric, and with those words, he made it clear that the defeat is the responsibility of the whole team, not just one player. Not seeking scapegoats or trying to divide the group was an important message, showing unity in a difficult moment.