Italian newspapers agree with Daniele De Rossi that Roma deserved a penalty kick against Lecce for a foul on Nicola Zalewski in the second half.
Roma appealed for a penalty kick at minute 55 at the Stadio Via Del Mare on Sunday. Zalewski had taken his shot when the hosts’ keeper, Wladimiro Falcone, crashed into his teammate Alexis Blin, who in turn collided with Zalewski.
De Rossi admitted he hadn’t noticed the foul during the match, but complained after watching the replay following the final whistle.
Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta agree that the Giallorossi should have been awarded a spot-kick. CorSport rated referee Matteo Marcenaro 4.5/10 highlighting that the match official ‘looked the other way’ while VAR ‘remained silent.’
Gazzetta gave the same verdict in Tuesday’s printed edition on page 20 saying that Blin and Falcone prevented Zalewski from continuing the attack.
On the other hand, refereeing chief Antonio Damato said on Monday night that the referee’s call was correct given that Zalewski had already taken his shot and that VAR didn’t intervene because it was not a clear and evident error.