Following AC Milan’s recent exit from the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, the club’s Senior Advisor, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, expressed his frustration with referee Szymon Marciniak regarding the red card issued to Theo Hernandez.
AC Milan saw their aspirations for progress in the UEFA Champions League shattered at home after a 1-2 defeat to Feyenoord in the second leg of the playoffs. Post-match, Ibrahimovic criticized Marciniak for his decision to show a red card to Hernandez.
The match kicked off positively for the home team, with star signing Santiago Gimenez finding the net just 37 seconds into the game. However, AC Milan failed to build on their early advantage, unable to secure a second goal to bolster their position. In the 51st minute, Hernandez received a second yellow card for a perceived dive in the box, leaving Milan at a numerical disadvantage and leading to their elimination.
In an interview with Sky, Ibrahimovic questioned the fairness of the referee’s decision, stating: “I don’t think it’s fair to label him a diver or say he’s acting: he plays his game and tries his best; these incidents happen on the field. The referee was excessively harsh with the second yellow: in such a match, a warning should be given for the next situation. Instead, he was strict, and the game shifted. We are not angry with Theo, but with ourselves: we ‘killed ourselves.”
The legendary striker then redirected his focus towards the future, urging the team to regain their momentum as they shift their attention to Serie A. “We are disappointed and angry. In tonight’s game, we lacked maturity… It’s crucial to reflect as a team, process this defeat, and immediately concentrate on the league, where significant challenges await us. We could’ve achieved more over the two matches, but matches are meant to be experienced and played, and that’s how these unfolded.”
Marciniak’s controversial call has left AC Milan’s Champions League aspirations in tatters. With their European campaign over, the team must now focus on Serie A, where they currently reside in 7th place, aiming for automatic qualification for next season.
Coach Conceicao Supports Hernandez Amid Criticism
Theo Hernandez, who was already cautioned in the 44th minute for a foul on a Feyenoord player, became the center of controversy following his red card. While AC Milan fans displayed divided opinions on the two decisions, coach Sergio Conceicao backed his captain, accepting responsibility for the team’s elimination.
“It’s not a new scenario for me, I’ve experienced it many times with Porto. I make mistakes, my players make mistakes, but the blame for Milan’s defeat rests on my shoulders, not Theo’s,” the Portuguese coach remarked during the post-match press conference.
Despite the ongoing scrutiny regarding Hernandez’s inconsistency this season, Milan’s coach reaffirmed his confidence in the left-back: “I’ve known him for a while, and I know he has more to offer, but his coach can also improve.”
