Igor Tudor Is Unhappy With Several Refereeing Decisions After Verona Draw Plus Bremer’s Injury

Written By Onyeka Daniel

Just like their recent result from their European scene, it was another draw for Italian giants, Juventus as they returned to Serie A, but unlike against Dortmund, there was no comeback and the result left a bitter taste in their mouth at full time as it ruined their perfect start in the league.

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At the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi stadium, the Bianconeri could only muster a 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona in a controversial game marred by two refereeing incidents after taking the lead through Francisco Conceicao before a harsh penalty was given against Joao Mario for handball.

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Speaking to DAZN after the match, Tudor slammed referee Antonio Rapuano and his team: “The penalty that was given is shameful, how can you… if someone doesn’t see the ball, what is he supposed to do? These kinds of penalties don’t exist. ” He said in his post match interview.

“Only people who have never played football could give that. It’s a shameful rule.” The penalty call was not the only decision that Tudor has taken issue with from the game. “Then there’s the red card for the foul against Gatti. I was right there, I saw it myself.” He continued in his tirade.

Gatti took an elbow to the face, yet no red card was given. “He didn’t charge, that’s how you have to go in, I’ve never seen two decisions like that. I don’t know what to say and then, it has to be said, we lacked energy today, even though we prepared at our best.” He further admitted.

The reporter then showed the coach an image of Orban’s elbow on Gatti, “I mean, if you don’t give a red for that, I don’t know what you give a red for. He wasn’t even looking… if that’s not a red, honestly, it’s a disgrace.” The Croatian doubled down on his comments

“A disgrace. With VAR, today, these two decisions – no – I don’t want to make excuses, but in the end matches are decided like this.” The refereeing controversy was not all the Croatian discussed after the game, also taking time to comment on his team’s energy levels.

“We put a lot into these three matches,” Tudor said in reference to the 4-3 win over Inter, 4-4 draw with Dortmund and today’s game against Verona, “so then the energy ends up being lacking. The lads gave everything, they wanted to push.” He further added.

“In some situations we could have done better but I’m not angry: we have strengths and weaknesses, you can’t win every game. We’ll analyse everything properly.” The manager also discussed his substitutes and their lack of impact: “We have to adapt. Zhegrova isn’t at his best yet but those who came on tried.” He continued.

“We put all our attacking potential on the field, we didn’t manage to make the difference but we gave it a go.” He further added. Meanwhile, for Verona goalscorer Gift Orban has said he is “very happy” after his first goal for the club.

Also, coach Paolo Zanetti hailed his team’s as the 23-year-old Nigeria international joined Verona this summer on a season-long loan with an €8m buy option and while he went goalless in his debut against Cremonese, he has justified the faith in him against the Old Lady.

Speaking to DAZN after the game, Orban said: “I’m so happy. I’m enjoying the stadium’s reaction. It was my first goal and I’m truly delighted. Regarding the penalty, without any controversy,” he continued, “we decided before the match that I would take it.”

Orban also praised the atmosphere in the team: “The positive thing is that we all want to score. Personally, I always want to give my teammates the win. Every time I can, I take a shot and I don’t see anything extraordinary in it – it’s my job. That’s how I help my team.” He said.

As for former referee, Luca Marelli he also has the same opinion about the refereeing decisions in the game as Igor Tudor as he spoke to DAZN about the penalty incident. Marelli said “The penalty was awarded after a VAR review for a touch by Joao Mario’s arm.” He started out with.

“The magnifying glass shows us Joao Mario’s attitude, he closes his eyes and the ball suddenly drops. I disagree with the decision: it was an unexpected ball and shouldn’t be punishable. He can’t know where the ball went.” He continued in his assessment of the situation.

The Verona goalscorer, Orban was also the centre of another controversy, when he made contact with an elbow to the face of Gatti and on this incident, Marelli said “The challenge is open to debate. Rapuano called for a yellow but VAR didn’t call it back. Orban isn’t look at the ball,” he said

“It looks like he’s aiming at his head. The blow wasn’t direct but also touched the shoulder, the correct decision would have been a red card. The yellow is a discount on the punishment he deserved. VAR might not have intervened to assess whether the player goes with a closed fist or an open hand: in case of the former, it’s considered violent conduct.” He further added.

A tired Juventus limped over the line and were only spared their blushes by a VAR call in their favour, when a second-half goal for the hosts was disallowed due to an offside, but there was more bad news from the game apart from the result at full time for Tudor and his coaching crew.

According to reports from PazziDiFanta, Brazilian defender, Bremer faces a fresh injury set back. Even though he was rested for the game, as per usual practice, the unused players underwent reps on the pitch with their trainers and that was when disaster struck.

During one of these exercises, Bremer collapsed to the ground, complaining of a problem that reports claim appears to be muscular. This comes as a fresh set back for him as he already missed most of last season through an ACL injury before his recent return.

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Now, just as he returns to form, he may be shifted back to square one. In the coming hours, Juventus’ medical staff will carefully evaluate the defender’s injury and Tudor will be hoping that it is nothing serious as they still have some tough fixtures ahead of them in the Serie A and the UCL.

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