Italian Media Argue VAR Could’ve Disallowed Inter Milan Goal Vs Genoa For A Fou

Inter Milan’s goal against Genoa yesterday could have been disallowed by VAR for a foul.

Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, argue that there was a credible case that Nerazzurri defender Yann Bisseck had fouled Kevin Strootman in the buildup to the goal.

Inter broke through late in the first half of yesterday evening’s Serie A match at the Marassi.

It was striker Marko Arnautovic who scored the match’s opening goal. The Austrian found the back of the net in Serie A for the first time wearing an Inter shirt.

There was certainly nothing problematic about Arnautovic’s strike itself.

The 34-year-old was very clearly onside.

But the Genoa players vehemently appealed for a foul to be given a little earlier in the buildup.

Inter Goal Vs Genoa Could’ve Been Disallowed By VAR For Foul

Inter had a throw-in close to the Genoa goal-line, and wingback Matteo Darmian took it as a long throw, essentially a set piece.

The Italian international’s throw-in sailed into the box, and Inter defender Bisseck won the high ball.

The German’s header fell to the feet of Nicolo Barella. The 26-year-old shot at goal, and a wicked deflection made it tough for Genoa keeper Josep Martinez.

But the keeper did manage to tip the effort onto the post.

However, that only allowed Arnautovic to seize on the loose ball, tapping it in from close range.

The moment that the Genoa players took issue with, though, was Bisseck’s header.

The 23-year-old defender had been battling for the ball with Genoa midfielder Strootman.

And there did look to be a shove in the back of the ex-Roma and Marseille midfielder. This gave Bisseck space to get his head to the ball and direct his header to Barella.

Referee Daniele Doveri did not see enough contact in the push to give a foul in real time.

But the Genoa players hoped for VAR intervention.

However, that was not forthcoming. VAR official Massimiliano Irratti reviewed the incident, and decided that there was not enough in the push to go against Doveri’s decision.

However, the Gazzetta suggests, this was a bit dubious.

There was no doubt that Bisseck had put his hands on the back of Strootman. And the newspaper argues that it would have been reasonable to see the contact as a foul.