Bologna fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but the Italian press suggest that there were two major refereeing errors that contributed to the Rossoblu’s downfall at Villa Park.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side were able to hold off their Premier League opposition for the first 45 minutes, but conceded to John McGinn 10 minutes into the second half and then once more to Jhon Duran 10 minutes later.
Two officiating errors in Bologna loss to Aston Villa
Page 11 of Wednesday’s Corriere dello Sport explains that Bologna could have had a penalty after Orsolini was touched in the penalty area by Ian Maatsen. Referee Joao Pinheiro had blown for several free-kicks after minor contact before then, but decided against it on that particular occasion.
The more obvious error came in the build-up to Aston Villa’s opener.
Ezri Konsa, close friends with Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, challenged Giovanni Fabbian near the half-way line, won the ball cleanly, but then accidentally clipped the Italian on the thigh with his knee.
Fabbian fell to the floor looking to win a free-kick, but Pinheiro was having none of it and waved play on. Konsa was then able to win a free-kick deep into the Bologna half, which Villa eventually scored from.
Corriere dello Sport confirms that a foul should have been awarded against Konsa for the clip on Fabbian as intention is only taken into consideration for handball offences, but not for regular fouls.