Benfica forward David Neres could have received a red card for putting his studs to the face of Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez.
This is the view in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInter1908. The newspaper argue that referee Danny Makkelie was very lenient in adjudging Neres not to have deliberately kicked out at the Nerazzurri striker.
One of the main moments of controversy in yesterday evening’s Champions League clash came in the second half.
There was a challenge between Inter captain Martinez and Benfica forward Neres.
The Nerazzurri player had gone into the challenge late. Both he and Neres were bundled to the ground as a result.
And, as Neres reacted to the challenge, the 26-year-old’s studs collided with the face of Martinez.
There was some doubt regarding how much intent was in the motion.
It was not clearly a deliberate kicking motion. Rather, Neres’s foot seemed to simply move naturally from an awkward position in the aftermath of the challenge, inadvertently striking Martinez.
Or at least that is how match official Makkelie saw it.
Could Benfica’s David Neres Have Seen Red Vs Inter?
The Corriere isn’t so sure that Makkelie made the correct decision, however.
The newspaper argue that there was enough in the movement that it could certainly be seen as a deliberate kickout.
After all, Neres was aware of the position of his own body, as well as that of his Inter opposite number.
Therefore, the newspaper argue, it was very lenient of Makkelie to interpret the situation as being totally inadvertent.
The Dutch referee booked Martinez for the late challenge on Neres. But the Benfica player did not receive a red card or a yellow card for the incident.
Neres stayed on the pitch. But for the Corriere, the former Ajax and Shakhtar Donetsk man was a bit luck to do so.
