Stefano Pioli was irritated at Fiorentina’s 2-0 defeat to Juventus, primarily the penalty that was awarded and then revoked via VAR. “It changed the match.”
It was still goalless in the first half when the referee pointed to the spot for a Giorgio Chiellini handling offence, but with Jordan Veretout waiting to take the penalty, news came through the official’s earpiece that there was an earlier offside position.
Stefano Pioli was irritated at Fiorentina’s 2-0 defeat to Juventus, primarily the penalty that was awarded and then revoked via VAR. “It changed the match.”
It was still goalless in the first half when the referee pointed to the spot for a Giorgio Chiellini handling offence, but with Jordan Veretout waiting to take the penalty, news came through the official’s earpiece that there was an earlier offside position.
This remains contentious, because it’s not clear if a Fiorentina or Juventus player got the touch to spark that move.
“It took a lifetime to make the decision, which means it was not a clear situation,” Coach Pioli told Mediaset Premium.
“They told us it was offside, but it’s impossible to think the double touch was involuntary. It was not offside. The rules are clear. Seeing as it was a very balanced encounter, these are the incidents that change a match.
“I asked Guida for an explanation and he told me it was offside. I said to him that seeing as the decision took so long and was so difficult, he should view the footage for himself.
“Don’t get me wrong, we may well have missed the penalty anyway, but it was still a penalty. We put in a good performance and didn’t take our chances, whereas Juve were clinical. It’s a pity, as we could’ve emerged with a positive result.”
This was the latest controversial use of VAR technology, as increasingly it seems the officials in the booth have more power than the referee on the ground.
“VAR can help a referee, but he needs to go back and watch the footage himself if he has doubts. I thought the touch was not involuntary, but you can watch it back and make your own mind up. He thought it was the right decision, I did not.”
Federico Bernardeschi eventually broke the deadlock with a free kick from the edge of the box, while Gonzalo Higuain finished off a clinical move late on.
“In my view, the positioning of the wall was wrong on the goal, as we needed a few more players. We could’ve defended better in general and allowed Juve too much space.”