Gazzetta dello Sport have analysed the performance of referee Luca Banti in last night’s encounter between Inter and Empoli.
Inter won the match at San Siro 2-1, securing Champions League football in the process whilst the result confirmed Empoli’s relegation to Serie B.
Banti was called into action almost immediately as Mauro Icardi hit the deck in the penalty box. The Argentine appeared to have been fouled by Empoli’s Domenico Maietta but Banti wrongfully waved play on.
He also failed to award Inter with a penalty as Danilo D’Ambrosio was hacked to the ground.
It was third time lucky for Inter who were eventually awarded a penalty – albeit a controversial one – on the hour mark. Icardi burst through and was taken out by Empoli’s goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski. Banti had to consult VAR to make a difficult, but acceptable decision, to award Inter with a penalty – that Icardi would miss.
The Milan based newspaper conclude by praising Banti, who was refereeing his final game, for consulting VAR and sending off Keita Balde. With Empoli needing a goal, they piled everyone into the box, Inter cleared and Marcelo Brozovic scored from the half way line but play was pulled back and the goal chopped off as Keita had tugged Dragowski as he attempted to run back toward his goal.