VAR Controversy Trails Atalanta’s Win Over Roma On Gasperini’s Return

It was supposed to be a match between two teams that love to play expressive football on the pitch as Atalanta welcomed Roma to their stadium in this week’s Serie A game and the first return to a familiar ground for Gian Piero Gasperini but only a goal separated the two teams at full time.

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It was an emotional night for the coach, who returned to Bergamo for the first time as an opponent after nine incredible years at the club, where he won the Europa League and qualified five times for the Champions League as Giorgio Scalvini put La Dea in front with a header when Mile Svilar failed to clear the corner.

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The keeper collided with his teammate Devyne Rensch after fumbling the initial effort and the footage was analysed for quite a while by VAR, but given the all-clear, as if anyone was impeding the Roma goalkeeper, then it was his teammate Rensch rather than the goalscorer.

Suggestions of handball were also rejected, as it bounced in off Scalvini’s chest but still, the goalkeeper insisted it was a foul, even after former goalkeeper Walter Zenga in the Sky Sport Italia studio explained to him why the impediment was caused by Rensch and not Scalvini.

“I understand that, but I both felt something on my arm and then behind my head. In my view, when the goalkeeper is touched in the six-yard box, it is always a foul,” said the shot-stopper as he spoke in his post match interview where he analysed the match.

DAZN refereeing pundit Luca Marelli called the Scalvini incident a “classic grey area” because “Svilar was impeded by Rensch, but it’s also true that Scalvini had both hands on the goalkeeper’s face before touching the ball. For this, I would’ve disallowed the goal. There is no handball, however.”

Meanwhile, Atalanta coach, Raffaele Palladino confessed he still didn’t understand why the second Atalanta goal was disallowed as Scamacca scored, but following a very long VAR review, the referee was sent for the On-Field Review and disallowed it for an active offside position.

However, arguably Scamacca did not challenge Mario Hermoso to win back the ball after coming from an offside position, because Hermoso’s poor first touch knocked it into the striker’s path. It is therefore easier to suggest that Hermoso’s touch put Scamacca back in play and the offside in midfield was irrelevant.

“I would’ve still disallowed the goal, because Scamacca took advantage of being in an offside position and actively participated in the move,” insisted DAZN refereeing pundit Marelli but Sky Sport Italia pundits, on the other hand, were against the decision to disallow this goal.

As for Gasperini, he revealed that the Giallorisi are not diminished’ by the 1-0 defeat but recognises failure to convert chances is a serious problem. “I haven’t seen the goal yet, so couldn’t judge from the touchline. It’s a pity we conceded in that situation after going so close to taking the lead twice against a very strong Atalanta side, but I knew that already,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“In any case, I am pleased with the chances that we created, it’s difficult against a tough Atalanta team, but we were not inferior.” The transfer window is now open and the discussion inevitably is around strikers, with reports of an agreement for Atletico Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori, and talks on-going for Manchester United man Joshua Zirkzee.

“There are physical, strong opponents, so it’s not easy. Roma played our game, probably created more chances to score overall, it’s a pity we didn’t convert any of them. These matches are balanced and decided by incidents, which didn’t go our way.” He continued.

Roma did have a huge scoring opportunity when Ederson misplaced a back-pass, but Paulo Dybala failed to make the most of it. Is his age showing? “That’s unfair, I’ve seen 20-year-olds make similar mistakes,” replied Gasperini. “What I can say is that inevitably these incidents change a game and you’ve got to convert them.”

“I want to make clear that Atalanta were built over the years, are solid and in the Champions League, while we are at the beginning of our journey. Roma do not emerge diminished from this defeat, because don’t forget Atalanta finished third last season and are still a very strong squad.”

“The fact we are ahead of them in the table is something to be proud of right now.” He further added. It is their sixth 1-0 defeat, confirming that when Roma do not score, they tend to lose, as there have not been any draws this season. “It’s evidently not a coincidence if it happened this often.”

“We need to keep working and improving. We tend to go so close to equalising and don’t, whereas when we go in front, we tend to win. Clearly, this is a characteristic after 18 rounds, but it is something to work on,” concluded Gasperini as he also had an issue with the goal scored later on.

“It is very clear for all to see, and it prompts serious doubts on the performance of the VAR. Looking at the footage, that is an absurd goal to give considering the rules right now. It’s not possible to give it when looking at this.” He said in his interview with DAZN.

“We were waiting for three minutes, so seeing that footage, there is no explanation for why it wasn’t disallowed. You can’t change the rule every time. There are two reasons to disallow it, one is the arm on the goalkeeper, the second is the handball from the player who scores. It’s totally inexplicable. It’s absurd.”

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There are problems going forward too, as both Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso were booked, so will be suspended for the midweek round against Lecce. Considering Evan Ndicka and Neil El Aynaoui are still at the Africa Cup of Nations, that leaves very few alternatives.

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