Claudio Ranieri confessed Champions League qualification might not be ‘feasible’ for Roma now, but vented his fury at VAR over the penalty in their defeat to Atalanta. ‘How can you say no? We are literally looking at it!’
The Giallorossi knew a victory here would allow them to leapfrog both Juventus and Lazio into fourth place, but instead they have slipped down to sixth, albeit still only one point behind these teams.
Their 19-match unbeaten Serie A record was ended by a 2-1 result in Bergamo, decided by Ademola Lookman and Ibrahim Sulemana strikes, around a temporary Bryan Cristante equaliser.
“After tonight, I don’t know if it’s still feasible for fourth place, but we will fight to the end, as we always have done,” Ranieri told DAZN.
Ranieri had not tasted Serie A defeat since the loss away to Como on December 15, 2024.
Ranieri rage at VAR intervention
However, the coach had one thing only on his mind and that was the moment when Roma were awarded a penalty for the Mario Pasalic challenge on Manu Koné, only for it to be revoked following the VAR On-Field Review because it was the Giallorossi midfielder who effectively ran into the Atalanta player.
“We knew Atalanta were the masters of intensity, that’s how they won the Europa League. What I wanted to know from your technical experts is, was that a penalty? Was it 60-40? We were told VAR only intervenes if there is a clear and obvious error,” ranted a visibly furious Ranieri.
“We saw that Pasalic mistimed the challenge, put his foot down and caught my player. So VAR should not have intervened. The referee awarded a penalty and it should’ve stayed a penalty. The rules change from one game to the next, we accept it, but it is disappointing to see that there is no consistency in this league.
“You can clearly see that Pasalic makes contact with Manu Kone. If the referee gave the penalty, the VAR should’ve stayed quiet. That is what we were told. After that, both teams had chances, Atalanta took them and we did not, so congratulations to Atalanta and congratulations to my players too.
“I am not asking if it was or was not a penalty. I am saying can VAR intervene when there is contact with the knee or ankle anyway? We accept it, but purely out of sporting justice, we want to know what the rules are. Have they changed? We would accept that, without understanding it, but at least let us know if the rules are changed.”
Ranieri congratulates Atalanta
DAZN refereeing expert Luca Marelli argued there was no real contact, because Manu Kone ran into Pasalic, and this further angered Ranieri.
“There was definitely contact, you can see it! Pasalic puts his foot down firmly, he doesn’t get the ball, he does get the player. How can you say no? We are literally looking at it! Good evening.”
And with that, Ranieri walked away from the DAZN interview.
The Roma coach was also booked by the referee after the final whistle for dissent.
Mr Raniere, you seem to be a very nice humble person, but. Your team, and the whole club from top to bottom are never built for Champions League. Your trophy cabinet says it all, that’s why whether getting qualified to CL or not, won’t change the fact that AS Roma is a mediocre club. Period.
Omar, you can say that about all clubs in Serie A that are not in CL. Only clubs in CLA can afford a deeper CL squad other than a few exceptions. Roma are under Financial Fair Play as well.
To be honest, the only real and clear difference between the teams were the noticeable pace and stamina of Atalanta again, especially for this late in the season. It’s unnatural, “period”.
Someone who is brave enough look into Atalanta’s “enhanced” fitness regime should uncover some interesting facts if they look hard enough.
@martino well, mate … with or without FFP, Roma will never win CL. Don’t make any excuses. How many times have they got trashed in CL? A total disgrace for Italian football.
VAR reviews all penalty kick calls. Kone ran into Pasalic, I don’t know what Ranieri is crying about.
Omar stop spitting poison. Thank you. Victor you’re wrong Pasalic ran into Kone and Atalanta are in CL thanks to the referee. get it straight. Thank you.