This morning’s Italian papers have cast doubt on the decisions that the officiating crew made during last night’s game between AC Milan and Atalanta in the Coppa Italia.
Milan’s 2-1 cup exit at the hands of Atalanta was not without controversy as the away side enjoyed the rub of the green on two calls that home fans were not happy with.
The first was a penalty awarded when Miranchuk went down, resulting in Atalanta’s second goal, while the second was a late spot kick not awarded for handball.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below) has their usual ‘moviola’ referee review section, starting with the first penalty appeal that Atalanta had in the 35th minute.
They claim that Tijjani Reijnders pushed De Roon as he was trying to get on the end of De Ketelaere’s header back across goal, while Matteo Gabbia saw the Atalanta player arriving and took a step towards him, so they think it was a penalty.
For the Jimenez-Miranchuk contact that actually did result in a penalty being awarded, the paper state that it is not always enough to get a touch on the ball, but many doubts remain about the decision given the Spaniard did clearly deviate the ball.
For Holm’s handball in the 95th minute, the movement was deemed regular by the officials after a VAR review.
Meanwhile, Corriere dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) also had their say on the major incidents. Both papers gave Marco Di Bello a 4.5 out of 10 for his refereeing.
On the penalty given against Jimenez: “Very big doubts about the penalty given: Jiménez touches the ball but it changes rotation and directio , then comes contact with Miranchuk’s knee (more due to dynamics, almost the latter going towards the other). Where is the penalty?”
On the penalty not given in the first half: “Reijnders pushes (with one hand…) De Roon, a few steps from the goal. The push leads De Roon to crash violently into Gabbia, to the point that the two were replaced: error by Di Bello, it’s a penalty to be given on the pitch, at normal speed.”
On Holm’s alleged handball: “Simic’s head, Holm in front touches with his left arm which, however, is not very wide and is moving back in: check and not penalty.”
It seems on balance the referee did ok.
Atalanta at least deserved 1 penalty and Milan did not.
The best team won, it’s pathetic to look for excuses after such a game
Word.
And what will happen? Nothing. The referees took the money for the criminal and will be suspended 1 week maybe, newspapers will talk one day and thats it. They need to be suspended at least half of the season, if you make this kind of errors by watching 249 camera’s on field,then u are either not capable to do the refs job or u are a criminal that took the money. Every week we see this on a various matches.
In the last analysis Atalanta did merit to win the match.
So basically they’re saying Atalanta should have gotten 2 pens and us 1 🤷♂️
Yea I’m not a pen searcher. You play the game and leave whatever on the pitch. Unless it’s something sooooo egregious but this isn’t it. Just DO better next time. Stop looking for excuses
Bad officiating all around, not saying Milan did anything to deserve a win but when both coaches are willing to take a fine to blast the ref and var official that’s proof it was a very poor performance. Gasperini said it well, there’s no consistency in decisions, no body knows what’s a penalty any more, no one knows what a clear and obvious mistake means and when to review. I appreciate the PLs transparency efforts but recognize that no living Italian bureaucrat would never consent to anything that could lead to them bring held accountable for.
The refereeing in Italy is next level turrrrrible. That’s why it’s better not to leave the games up to the refs. Need to put opponents away convincingly. But it’s hard to do with most CB’s missing, and a lack of a decisive CF and a 6.
So we’re gonna huff’n’puff until next season.
The hand was out, though not deliberate. But, because it was blocking a ball headed towards the goal-post, then, it is a penalty. The VAR made the “no goal” decision, not the referee. The ref did well overall.