REFEREE CHIEF APOLOGISES TO JUVENTUS AFTER "ABSURD" PIERRE KALULU RED CARD ERROR
Inter beat 10-man Juventus 3-2! Read about Zielinski’s winner and the "absurd" Kalulu red card that has sparked a Serie A crisis.
Inter Milan and Juventus cranked up their old rivalry again on Saturday night, and man, it was wild. The match exploded into drama, with Inter snatching a 3-2 win after Piotr Zielinski hammered in a stoppage-time goal against a Juventus squad left with just ten men.
Juventus lost Pierre Kalulu in the first half after he picked up two pretty questionable yellow cards. Inter’s players didn’t hide their delight; they celebrated while Juve fumed. You could see the frustration boiling over, both on the pitch and off. Juventus made it very clear they were furious about the officiating.
At halftime, Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, along with directors Damien Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini, stormed over to referee Federico La Penna. They weren’t quiet about it, either. All three were animated, shouting as they marched towards the dressing rooms, making sure La Penna knew exactly how they felt about Kalulu’s red card.
Kalulu tried to plead his case, insisting he was innocent, but it didn’t matter. The damage was done.
The anger didn’t stop there. Spalletti refused to speak to the media after the match, leaving Comolli and Chiellini to vent for him. Chiellini didn’t hold back on Sky Sport Italia. “We can’t talk about football after what happened today,” he said, clearly still seething. “This was completely unacceptable. It doesn’t matter if it happens to us or anyone else; VAR has to change after this. It’s not acceptable for so many errors to keep happening, especially in big games.”
Chiellini pointed out that Juventus, and plenty of other teams this season, have been saying since the beginning that Serie A’s refereeing just isn’t good enough. “This is what we’ve shown the world tonight,” he added. “It’s been happening to too many teams, and we have to stop messing around and actually change something in Italian football.”
Kalulu, as he left the field, even made a VAR gesture, which you can’t do, especially after a second yellow. But VAR didn’t step in, which just made Juve even angrier. Chiellini kept going: “Clubs have been complaining all season that the infrastructure just isn’t up to Serie A’s standards. Whether it’s poor training or just not being good enough, the referees aren’t at the level they should be.”
He even called out Gianluca Rocchi, Italy’s referee chief. “If Rocchi keeps saying he’ll step down, then let’s see if he actually does. Last week, Genoa’s De Rossi complained; before that, it was Roma’s Gasperini and Napoli’s Conte. We’re not the first, and we won’t be the last. Something’s broken, and the protocol has to change. Tonight proved it. Referees are human, just like players and coaches, but La Penna clearly wasn’t up to this game.”
Comolli, echoing Chiellini, called it “embarrassing” on Sky Sport Italia. “As a club, we feel embarrassed. From the owners to the fans, the players, and the coach, it can’t happen again. But it keeps happening, over and over. Tonight summed up the whole season. The whole world was watching, and it was just embarrassing.”
He also admitted nobody from Juve spoke to La Penna after the match. “No, we didn’t talk to him. It’s tough to accept this kind of injustice,” Comolli said. “We have to speak up. I talked to Luciano, Francois, and Giorgio. I didn’t talk to the players; I just told them ‘well done’ because they fought hard. But honestly, football wasn’t the main story tonight. The coach is frustrated and disappointed. It’s just not acceptable.”
NAPOLI AND INTER MILAN LAUNCH BIDDING WAR FOR COMO STAR MAXIMO PERRONE
Maximo Perrone is the target of a €50m bidding war between Napoli and Inter after leading Como to fourth in Serie A.
Maximo Perrone has emerged as a standout performer this season for Como, attracting considerable attention from top clubs. Como, having established themselves among Italy’s football elite and eyeing a spot in the Champions League, rely heavily on Perrone’s creativity and influence. Once a lesser-known figure, the former Manchester City midfielder has become a central figure in Fabregas’s team, and now several major clubs are lining up for his signature. This summer promises a competitive battle, with Inter and Napoli showing serious interest. But Como, bolstered by their impending European campaign, is unlikely to let him go without a fight.
Looking closer at the interest from Italy’s giants, journalist Matteo Moretto recently shared insights on YouTube, highlighting Inter and Napoli as the two main contenders. Inter have praised Perrone and clearly rate him, although they haven’t yet approached his representatives directly. Napoli, on the other hand, seems more proactive. They have monitored Perrone for some time and view him as a realistic addition, especially following a specific request from coach Conte. Conte, who has indicated his intention to stay with Napoli but will discuss plans at season’s end, sees Perrone as a key piece, particularly if Stanislav Lobotka departs next summer. Even if Lobotka stays, Perrone’s arrival remains a possibility.
Despite growing interest, Como holds the cards here. They are financially stable and preparing to embark on their first European adventure, whether that’s in the Champions League or the Europa League is still unclear. After taking Perrone on loan from Manchester City, Como acquired his rights last summer, though City retained 30 per cent of any future resale. This project around Lake Como is in its early stages, making the idea of selling such a vital player complicated. The club’s willingness to sell, the price set, and the offers they receive will all shape what happens next.
Perrone, under contract until 2029, is in the best form of his young career. At 23, he’s featured in 31 games this season, contributing two goals and four assists, consistently anchoring the midfield in Fabregas’s tactical setup, a system the Argentine shapes with deliberate control. It’s this partnership that the transfer market will undoubtedly try to disrupt in the coming months.
CESC FABREGAS BLASTS GASPERINI OVER HANDSHAKE SNUB FOLLOWING COMO’S VICTORY OVER ROMA
Cesc Fabregas blasts Gian Piero Gasperini for refusing a handshake after Como defeated Roma 2-1 to reach fourth place.
This past weekend saw a tense moment between Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder turned Como manager, and Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini following Como’s 2-1 win over Roma. Fabregas, who took charge of Como in July 2024 and has quickly earned a reputation as one of Europe’s promising young managers, has led the team to fourth place in Serie A, pushing them toward a surprising shot at Champions League qualification, a milestone in the club’s history.
The victory itself was key for Como’s ambitions, but the post-match atmosphere was anything but smooth. Fabregas shared his frustration about Gasperini refusing to shake his hand at the final whistle. For Fabregas, the handshake is a simple but important gesture of respect and sportsmanship, regardless of emotions or results. He said, “Whether I’m angry, sent off, or feel the referee has wronged me, I always go to shake my opponent’s hand after the match." It’s about respect, and I was disappointed by what happened. Even when you lose, you always offer that hand.”
Fabregas explained that while he understands different cultures approach these things differently, for him, once the game is over, competition ends, and respect should remain. Gasperini, known for his stints with Inter Milan and Atalanta, didn’t shy away from explaining his side. The 68-year-old was critical of Como’s conduct both on and off the pitch, saying, “Como is a strong team, but I don’t respect their behaviour on the pitch or on the bench.”
Part of the tension seemed to spark after Roma’s defender Wesley, got sent off just after the 60-minute mark, receiving a second yellow card. Gasperini implied that Fabregas and his staff had influenced the referee’s decision by pushing claims of simulation. This disagreement added fuel to the post-match exchange, highlighting the competitive edge and complex dynamics between these two managers as they vie for top spots in Serie A.
