A late tackle by Fiorentina midfielder Arthur on Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella could have been worthy of a red card.
Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInter1908, argue that the Brazilian was certainly at least fortunate to escape a booking for the challenge, considering how high and late it was.
Yesterday’s match at the San Siro did not feature too much refereeing controversy.
In the view of the Corriere, both penalty decisions were correct.
Referee Matteo Marchetti was correct to wave away Fiorentina winger Nico Gonzalez’s appeal for shirt-pulling by Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni, the newspaper argues.
And the decision to give a penalty for a challenge by Viola goalkeeper Oliver Christensen on Marcus Thuram was straightforward.
However, the Corriere argues, there was one instance in particular in which Marchetti got it wrong.
Arthur Could Have Seen Red For Late Tackle On Barella
Towards the end of the first half, Fiorentina midfielder Arthur went in with a tackle to try and win the ball from his Inter counterpart Barella.
The 27-year-old was late to the ball, getting none of it.
Moreover, the tackle was high, catching Barella on the ankle.
As per Corriere, it was a blatant error by Marchetti to not even give a yellow card for the offense. Considering how late the challenge was, it was certainly worthy of a booking.
And moreover, given that the Fiorentina midfielder’s studs made contact with Barella’s ankle, it could even have been worthy of a red card.
It was not necessarily clear-cut, the Corriere argues. But there is a real case for sending the 27-year-old straight off.
Meanwhile, Barella was actually the player to receive a yellow card for the incident.
The 26-year-old complained angrily to Marchetti. Therefore, the official booked him for dissent.
