Allegri Outsmarts Chivu: Milan Reopens Scudetto Race with Derby Victory

Milan secured a crucial victory in the second derby of the season against Inter, narrowing the gap to seven points and reigniting the Serie A title race. Massimiliano Allegri’s tactical approach once again proved successful against Cristian Chivu, reinforcing his reputation as a derby specialist.

Inter’s Struggles in Big Matches

Whereas Inter has demonstrated dominance against mid-table and lower-ranked teams, they have faltered in high-stakes encounters. This inconsistency raises concerns about their ability to perform when facing strong opposition. Despite acknowledging the impact of key absences, the Nerazzurri’s overall attitude during the derby was deemed unconvincing.

Controversial Refereeing Decisions

The match was not without controversy, with two key incidents sparking debate in stoppage time. The first involved a goal scored during a halted play, and the second centered around a potential handball by Milan’s Matteo Ricci within the penalty area.

The Ricci Handball Debate

The handball incident proved particularly contentious. La Gazzetta dello Sport assessed the refereeing, giving Doveri a rating of 6 and stating the incident was “considered non-punishable in dynamics.”

However, Sky Sport analysts expressed differing opinions. Beppe Bergomi questioned the VAR’s judgment, noting that similar handballs have resulted in penalties in the past. Stefano De Grandis echoed this sentiment, arguing that the arm movement towards the ball warranted VAR intervention. Even Milan legend Billy Costacurta acknowledged the inconsistency with previous rulings, suggesting the proximity of the incident influenced the VAR’s decision.

Luca Marelli, providing clarity on the rules, explained that according to FIFA regulations adopted by Serie A, the handball was not penalizable due to the fact that the player was attempting to withdraw their arm, not create an obstacle.

Social Media Reaction and Historical Parallels

The controversy quickly spread to social media, with many Inter fans drawing parallels to a similar incident in last season’s Inter-Lazio match, which resulted in a penalty and ultimately impacted the title race. Dimarco highlighted the similarity, questioning the consistency of refereeing decisions.

The decision in the Inter-Lazio match, involving a handball by Bisseck, ultimately contributed to Napoli winning the Scudetto. It remains to be seen whether the refereeing decision in the recent derby will have a similar impact on the current title race.