The clash between Inter Milan and Juventus kept all its promises and will have had a profound impact on people in Italy. In this decisive derby for the title race, the Nerazzurri snatched victory in the final moments (3-2) to maintain their place at the top of Serie A, leaving Juve in 5th place in Serie A. But beyond the breathtaking scenario, a game event completely changed the match: the expulsion of Pierre Kalulu in the 42nd minute, which provoked the explosion of anger from the Turin camp.
Just before the break, the French full-back received a second yellow card for a foul on Alessandro Bastoni. Problem: the replays showed that Kalulu did not really touch the interist defender. A decision which immediately ignited the Bianconeri, especially since VAR can only intervene in the case of a direct red card. In the tunnel of the Milan stadium, the tension rose a notch. Coach Luciano Spalletti – who allegedly explained to the referee that he “distorted the match” – strategy director Giorgio Chiellini and president Damien Comolli strongly questioned referee Federico La Penna upon returning to the locker room.
Damien Comolli went crazy
According to La Gazzetta dello SportDamien Comolli would have literally lost his cool, emerging to “uttering unspeakable insults in English against the referee”. Still according to the Italian daily, the French leader was so virulent that the Turin coach had to push him back towards the locker room to prevent the situation from degenerating further. Juventus then decided to boycott post-match media obligations. No player or coach appeared in front of the cameras. Only Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli spoke out to denounce the arbitration decision.
“What happened tonight is a shame. This must never happen again. It’s happened again and again, and tonight is the perfect example. Seeing this in front of the whole world is scandalous.”blurted Comolli. Chiellini hit the nail on the head: “we can’t talk about football after what happened this evening. Today something unacceptable happened. The umpteenth of the season, which happens to us or to others. This error is not acceptable, spoiling such a match and the level (of the referees) not being up to par. This is the show we are giving to the rest of the world, we must change immediately and stop procrastinating as we always do in Italian football”. Enough to set the whole of Italy on fire…
