The penalty for Inter Milan against Lazio yesterday evening was a “clear penalty” in the view of Italian media.
Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, contend that there was no doubt that VAR was correct to give the Nerazzurri the spot kick in the end.
Early on in the second half of yesterday evening’s match, there was a contact by Lazio forward Pedro on Inter captain Lautaro Martinez.
Martinez felt that the Spaniard has clipped his heel, and went down under the contact.
Initially, referee Matteo Marchetti did not point to the spot.
But Martinez was absolutely vehement. The Argentine stayed on the ground and continued to appeal for the penalty to be given.
Then when the ball went out of play, Marchetti had a check with his VAR.
And the official received the advice to go and have a second look at the incident on his VAR.
Once Marchetti did so, it didn’t take the referee long. He immediately pointed to the spot.
Inter Penalty Vs Lazio A “Clear Penalty”
Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu stepped up to dispatch Inter’s penalty.
And the Turk kept his perfect record from the spot for the Nerazzurri alive.
Whilst this was not exactly a turning point in the match, it was certainly an important goal for Inter.
During the first half of the Supercoppa semifinal, Inter had created numerous chances. But they had only scored one goal.
So the penalty was an important opportunity for the Nerazzurri to put a bit more of a cushion on their advantage.
And in the view of the Corriere, there was nothing lucky or dubious about the penalty.
The contact between Pedro and Martinez was certainly there. And it was more than enough to cause the Inter to go down.
Therefore, there is little controversy about the spot kick.