The 2025 UEFA Champions League football semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona was a modern classic — a 4–3 thriller at the San Siro that ended 7–6 on aggregate in favour of Inter. But beyond the goals and drama, this match also highlighted how technology is transforming football.
From instant offside calls to performance data influencing strategy, tech now plays a key role in how matches are played, judged, and even enjoyed by fans. Here are five major ways technology changed football, with real examples from Inter vs Barcelona UCL 2025.
VAR (Video Assistant Referee)
The use of VAR remains one of the most influential technological changes in football. In the 2025 clash, VAR played a central role in key decisions, including a first-half penalty awarded to Inter after a handball review.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick later criticised the officiating, specifically pointing to a potential second yellow for Mkhitaryan that wasn’t given, and the penalty that Inter scored through Çalhanoğlu. Without VAR, these moments could have gone unnoticed or been wrongly judged.
Wearable Tech and Performance Analytics
Both teams used wearable GPS trackers and biometric monitoring to assess performance. Players like Davide Frattesi, who scored the match-winning goal in extra time, covered immense ground, data which helps coaches make informed substitution and recovery decisions.
Barcelona’s use of performance data influenced their second-half comeback strategy, pressing higher and exploiting Inter’s fatigue, especially after halftime.
Broadcast Technology and Fan Experience
Fans watching from home or in the stadium had access to enhanced replays, real-time match stats, heat maps, and tactical overlays. Broadcasters used 3D replays of Frattesi’s goal and showed SAOT-generated animations for offside reviews.
Supporters could also follow second-screen experiences via apps, which gave live alerts and replays straight to their phones.
Goal-Line Technology
Although not directly needed in this match, goal-line technology remains a crucial tool in big games. It uses high-speed cameras to detect whether the ball fully crossed the goal line, removing doubt from close calls.
In a match as tight as Inter vs Barcelona, a goal-line clearance could have decided the outcome. Thanks to this tech, such moments are now clear-cut and no longer hinge on a referee’s line of sight. With goal-line technology, the highest goal scorers in the 2025 Champions League-Raphinha and Serhou Guirassy, can confidently boast of scoring non-controversial goals.
Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT)
The 2025 UCL semi-final used Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) — a system that tracks player positions with AI-powered cameras and a sensor inside the ball to flag offsides in seconds.
In this game, several close calls involving Raphinha and Lautaro Martínez were quickly resolved using SAOT, minimising interruptions. The real-time 3D graphics also gave fans clarity, reducing the usual uncertainty during offside checks.
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