what a blunder by Massa and the Var, the protests were right

Thirty-nine years old, banker, international with over 200 Serie A matches behind him, Davide Massa – chosen for Roma-Inter, is one of the most expert referees currently present in the Italian Serie A championship. In fact, his debut in the Serie A championship dates back to January 2011. top championship, in Fiorentina-Lecce. The permanent promotion in CAN A came only a year later, precisely in July 2012. A meteoric career, which led him, after just a couple of years, to become international. The debut on the European field dates back to 17 July 2014, in Elfsborg-Inter Baku, valid for qualification for the Europa League. From the second to the European “first class” the journey is long and takes about 6 years, the promotion takes place in June 2018 and the first Champions League match is Porto-Lokomotiv Moscow but how did you fare yesterday at San Siro?

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Massa’s history with Roma and Inter

With the Imperia whistle, the Nerazzurri have collected a total of 16 victories, 4 draws and 4 defeats. On two occasions Massa refereed a direct clash between Inter and Roma. The first time at San Siro in January 2018 in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. The second, however, was in October 2022 again at the Meazza with Roma coming from behind to win 1-2. There have been 29 precedents against Roma, the last being Empoli-Roma last season, which ended 2-1. The record is 10 wins, 12 draws and 7 defeats.

The referee cautioned 5 players

Assisted by assistants Carbone and Peretti with Feliciani IV man, Di Bello at Var and Di Paolo at Avarthe referee cautioned five players: 48′ Barella (I), 50′ Cristante (R), 62′ Pisilli (R), 68′ Darmian (I), 78′ Correa (I)

Roma-Inter, the slow-motion cases

These are the main dubious episodes. In the 30th minute, following a throw from Lautaro, contact between Cristante and Thuram at the edge of the Giallorossi area. Thrown deep, the Frenchman is tackled first by Ndicka and then touched by the opposing midfielder who, falling, drags him with him. The VAR simply agreed with the referee’s opinion but there were grounds for a red card foul. As happened in Juventus-Lazio the day before, Di Bello could have invited the match director to the video to let him review the action.

Many doubts remain, Inzaghi also protests and is cautioned. At 48′ protests for a dubious foul by Bastoni against Dybala, Barella in particular heats up and is bookedin the 50th minute Cristante loses the ball and nips Marcus Thuram’s restart with a tactical foul: yellow for him too. In the 63rd minute Pisilli commits a tactical foul to stop Frattesi and is booked. In the 68th minute Darmian loses the ball under pressure from Zalewski and commits a tactical foul. Inevitable yellow. In the 79th minute Correa prevents Svilar from returning and is booked. After 4 minutes of injury time, Roma-Inter ended 0-1.

For Cesari Cristante misses the red

Graziano Cesari provides clarity. In Pressing on Canale 5 the former referee focuses on the foul on Thuram after half an hour: “In the 32nd minute, at 0-0, Thuram is left on the ground following an assist from Lautaro after interventions from Ndicka and Cristante. The referee signals to continue. We see with the side camera, he touches Ndicka with his toe, then Thuram touches it while Cristante touches him on the calf, it’s a clear scoring opportunity and it deserved the red. It was easy for Massa to see. It’s an intervention by VAR but they had the screens turned off in Lissone”

Marelli’s explanation

Dazn talent, Luca Marelli, also intervenes in the case, explaining: “Cristante did not touch the ball but there was only contact on Thuram, on Thuram’s right leg. It was probably considered a game contact, not enough to lead to a red card because it would have been DOGSO. Some doubts remain, It’s a controversial decision because Cristante actually didn’t touch the ball and Thuram had the ball in his possession, we’re very much at the limit.”