There was more VAR controversy today in Serie A, as while Verona were furious at the Inter goal, Sassuolo were bemused by an offside call against Fiorentina.
The officials were already under the spotlight after the last games of 2023 when Inter scored against Genoa and VAR did not intervene for the Yann Bisseck push in the build-up.
This time the VAR stayed silent when Alessandro Bastoni seemed to strike Ondrej Duda with an elbow, perhaps because it was more in the chest than the face.
Multiple refereeing experts on DAZN, Sky Sport Italia, Sport Mediaset and RAI all agreed VAR should’ve recalled the referee to view that incident again.
Unbelievable! 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 6, 2024
Incredible closing scenes at the San Siro as Inter grab a late winner! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LNpVWkutH6
Meanwhile, Sassuolo saw a goal disallowed in controversial circumstances against Fiorentina this evening.
Matheus Henrique was considered to be interfering with play when offside in the build-up to the Kristian Thorstvedt goal.
However, he did not appear to make any real difference to the situation, as Rolando Mandragora had blocked a shot from close range and Andrea Consigli’s sight-line was therefore irrelevant.
In the same match, Fiorentina also had a goal disallowed, but it was not for M’Bala Nzola’s offside, rather Lucas Martinez-Quarta himself in the build-up.
This is why the VAR was able to disallow it directly from the booth without needing an on-field review – if it had been an indirect offside, then the referee would’ve made that decision himself.
VAR strikes again ⛔️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 6, 2024
Fiorentina thought they struck level with Sassuolo until VAR intervened to rule it out for offside!
Correct decision? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/YgqvskiEnJ