Davide Calabria was stunned by the decision to disallow a Milan goal that would’ve opened up the Coppa Italia semi-final with Inter. ‘Samir Handanovic was never getting to that.’
The incident occurred with the score still at 2-0 for Inter due to a Lautaro Martinez brace, as Ismael Bennacer had the ball in the net, but it was chalked off using VAR because Pierre Kalulu was judged to be interfering with play when offside.
“The Inter players weren’t complaining about offside, they wanted handball, which it wasn’t. Handanovic was never getting to that ball,” Calabria told Sky Sport Italia after a 3-0 defeat.
The issue of offside interfering with play is a subjective one, so VAR cannot make the decision, it has to be done by the referee after an on-field review.
Milan argue that Kalulu was not impeding Handanovic’s vision of the shot, if anything the Inter players were blocking his view more.
Nonetheless, a 3-0 result is a heavy one, especially for a side that had kept seven consecutive clean sheets in all competition.
“We do feel angry, because I don’t think there’s such a big difference. We need to focus on the next game, as we can feel regret, but not for long, we need to get back on track straight away.”
There will not be another Coppa Italia match this season, as Inter will face either Juventus or Fiorentina in the Final on May 11.
Milan had more shots on target than the Nerazzurri, but as we’ve seen repeatedly in Serie A too lately, their finishing leaves a lot to be desired.
“We need to be more clinical,” agreed Calabria. “We created chances and should’ve done better. We didn’t deserve to lose 3-0. We are a team that defends together and attacks together, we are creating the opportunities, so we need to think positive and be more decisive in front of goal.”
Could this setback affect the Scudetto race, with Inter two points behind Milan and with a game in hand?
“We believe, that’s all I can say.”
Milan thought they were back in it, but Bennacer’s goal was ruled out! ❌
The Inter players appealed for hand ball, but in the end it was offside that saved them 👀 pic.twitter.com/FcSJFN7KVg
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) April 19, 2022
IF Pioli continues with Giroud as a starter, he will sow the seeds of his own dismissal when the takeover happens. Tonight he even valiantly defended for Inter. Get Rebic starting as a false forward, and get back to playing football.
It is call the PhD Max effect. Pioli was doing really well but cometh the man with the glorious return to Serie a and like an infection it spreads to other clubs.
of course inter player complain about in front of them like kalulu foul on lautaro that doesn’t mention..it doesn’t mean there is no offside .that why VAR needed to correct unseen foul like the one
LORD ALLEGRI PATRON SAINT OF SLOW BALL, what are u talking? Are u high?