In today’s print edition, Milan based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport have praised referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande for the way he refereed last night’s Europa League round of 32 first leg tie between Ludogorets and Inter.
In the first half, he rightly waved away Ludogorets’ multiple claims for penalties. The first of their shouts came 20 minutes in when the ball came off of Inter defender Danilo D’Ambrosio’s arm but Del Cerro Grande was right to not award a penalty as D’Ambrosio’s arms were in a suitable position when hit.
The second call came just before the half-time interval when Mavis Tchibota went to deck in the box but Del Cerro Grande was having none of it and would rightly book the Congolese international for simulation.
During the first half he also handed a deserved booking to Inter striker Lautaro Martinez after the 22-year-old striker went into a challenge late. As a result of this booking the Argentine will miss the return leg next week.
With the assistance of VAR, Del Cerro Grande rightly rewarded a penalty to Inter in the final minute of the game. He initially missed the ball coming off Anicet Abel’s hand but the evidence put to him by VAR helped him award a penalty to the visitors, which was duly slotted home by Romelu Lukaku.