Inter’s match against Juventus marred by controversial officiating; Liverpool continues to progress.
The European soccer weekend once again provided numerous talking points across the leading leagues — including the English FA Cup, which concluded its fourth round this weekend — but where should we start?
Let’s begin in Italy, where a top-of-the-table derby match between Inter Milan and Juventus produced five goals, significant drama … and considerable controversy following a first-half dive that resulted in a red card altering the course of the match. The referee erred, yet the teams, their players, and their officials should be more aware.
In England’s FA Cup, Liverpool secured a substantial victory over Premier League opponents Brighton, showcasing further signs of their development in a challenging season. In Spain, Real Madrid delivered another shaky performance but managed a crucial win against LaLiga’s in-form Real Sociedad, while in Germany, Harry Kane reached 500 goals for club and country as Bayern Munich triumphed over Werder Bremen to maintain a comfortable lead in the Bundesliga. Additionally, there is much to analyze regarding Atletico Madrid, Marseille, Chelsea, Napoli, the Ligue 1 title race, and more.
– O’Hanlon: The 25 best and worst PL players at different skills
– Lindop: Salah shines for Liverpool in FA Cup victory
– Davies: Is soccer better without VAR? FA Cup indicates uncertainty
It’s Monday morning, making it an ideal time for some reflections. Let’s delve into it.
Inter vs. Juventus overshadowed by a significant error, but the reactions moving forward are crucial
Ideally, we would be discussing an enthralling match — the latest installment of the Derby d’Italia — featuring two giants of Italian football. A contest where Juventus came back twice against league leaders Inter, only to be edged out by a dramatic goal from Piotr Zielinski in the 90th minute. We would highlight Manuel Locatelli’s drive and Francesco Pio Esposito’s goal, Inter’s capacity to perform under pressure, and how Juventus, following Luciano Spalletti’s appointment, has been playing some of the finest football in the league.
However, we cannot. Instead, we must address one of the most egregious refereeing errors in recent times and how the system failed to provide any correction. We need to discuss how various participants in this Serie A drama made exceptionally poor choices, bringing shame upon themselves. And yes, we must acknowledge that having made these mistakes, they can either exacerbate the situation in the next 48 hours or begin to find a way to recover from the predicament they have created.
With 42 minutes played, Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni intercepts a pass and advances forward. As he passes Pierre Kalulu, the Juventus right back lightly brushes against him with his arm. It is not a pull or a shove — merely the slightest contact. Bastoni falls to the ground, and referee Federico La Penna promptly issues a second yellow card to Kalulu, who had been cautioned 10 minutes earlier, resulting in his dismissal. Bastoni celebrates as if he had netted the winning goal in a Champions League final.
This is a dreadful decision, made worse by La Penna’s immediate response, which prevents either of his assistants or the fourth official — who might have had a clearer view — from intervening. (VAR, of course, cannot intervene in this instance as it pertains to a second bookable offense: this is likely to change after next month’s IFAB meeting when the laws of the game will be revised.)
Juventus are outraged, and Bastoni’s celebration adds insult to injury. Shortly after, at half-time, Juventus officials Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli head down the tunnel. They confront and berate La Penna as he exits the pitch — Comolli appears to require physical restraint. Juventus subsequently boycotted the post-match press conference, opting to send the two of them to speak with the media instead. Chiellini states, “this isn’t football.” Comolli adds: “It’s an embarrassment; we lost three points, and Italian football lost much more than that.”
After the match, Inter coach Cristian Chivu commented on the incident, stating: “It’s a light touch, but it’s a touch … [Kalulu] is an experienced player; he has already been booked. Don’t touch him; don’t give the referee the basis to make a decision.”
The following day, Gianluca Rocchi, head of the Italian referees, described it as a “terrible mistake,” noting that La Penna is “mortified” and will be sidelined for approximately a month. However, he added: “He’s not the only one who erred. This was a clear case of simulation. Throughout the season, players have been attempting to deceive referees, and their coaches aren’t assisting. It’s unfortunate because we are the only ones held accountable.”
Let’s analyze this, keeping in mind that it unfolds against the troubling backdrop of Calciopoli and other toxic legacies of Serie A.
La Penna made a significant error, and we can question why a more experienced referee was not assigned to the match. (One theory is that Rocchi prefers to distribute the major matches among his officials rather than assigning them all to his top referees.) Poor decisions — even if made in good faith — must have repercussions, and it is appropriate that he be sidelined.
Bastoni’s actions — from the dive to the celebration — were disgraceful. Particularly since he was the victim when Inter faced Liverpool in the Champions League earlier this season, and his slight push on Florian Wirtz led to the latter diving, resulting in Inter’s defeat.
Chiellini and Comolli should also face fines and disciplinary action. It is one thing to express anger at the final whistle, but confronting the referee at half-time (and potentially influencing the second half) is unacceptable. These are adults: Comolli is new to Serie A, but he has clearly been influenced by this type of conduct. As for Chivu, his comments were remarkably tone-deaf.
How do we move forward? The VAR rule change will assist, but we cannot rely solely on that. Video evidence should be utilized to penalize divers and those who deceive the referee. How often do we witness players getting hit in the chest and then clutching their face, for instance? Grant VAR the authority to intervene in those situations as well, and if they lack a panel, implement retrospective measures and impose bans. This is cheating, plain and simple.
Meanwhile, Inter should encourage Bastoni to apologize, and — though this may be wishful thinking — consider an unofficial ban for the next few days. These actions do not reflect club values.
However, this issue extends beyond Inter. When you deceive the referee in such a manner, you are not being clever: you are cheating. Managers must take responsibility, set the tone, and be clear about this. The objective is to outplay and outsmart the opponent, not the referee. If your players behave in this manner, do not hesitate to take a stand for fear that acknowledging something will result in unfavorable calls in the future.
This was unpleasant and regrettable, but let’s maintain perspective. It was a single poor decision that likely cost Juventus points, if not the match, but it is not indicative of a systemic conspiracy. Let us use this as an opportunity for accountability and responsibility from players and coaches, as well as to explore potential improvements to the system.
Liverpool remains sub-optimal, but Arne Slot is resonating with some players
play1:15Was Brighton match a turning point for Mo Salah?
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss Mo Salah’s performance against Brighton after he converted a penalty in the 68th minute.
There are numerous dysfunctions and challenges facing Liverpool this season. From mismatched pieces to contractual dilemmas, and a lack of defensive cover — it’s a lot for Slot to address. However, while he works on the collective, the 3-0 victory over Brighton in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round confirmed what we have observed in recent weeks: he is getting results from certain individuals.
Dominik Szoboszlai stands out as the most notable example. Many considered him the odd man out in midfield following the summer spending spree, Florian Wirtz’s arrival, and the transition to a 4-2-3-1 formation. After all, he had been benched seven times last season in the league. Instead, he has emerged as Liverpool’s second-leading scorer (behind Hugo Ekitike) and third-leading assist provider (behind Mohamed Salah and Wirtz) across all competitions. Not bad for a player splitting his time between midfield and attack.
If Szoboszlai is a player whose performances have compelled the manager to make him a central figure in the team, Milos Kerkez and Salah are also players who are revitalizing their seasons after a challenging start. Their circumstances could not be more different — a 22-year-old newly arrived from Bournemouth and a 33-year-old club icon — but both are finding their form.
Kerkez’s positional challenges are resolving, and he is contributing more consistently in attack. Salah is not yet close to last season’s form, but he is increasingly adding individual flair and unpredictability, even as the goals remain elusive. (He has scored just once from open play in all competitions since November 1.)
While credit is due to the players, Slot deserves recognition as well, as he has positioned them to turn things around. Sometimes addressing individual components is simpler than fixing the entire system.
Real Madrid are far from convincing against Real Sociedad, but finally some positives
play1:27Marcotti: A step in the right direction for Real Madrid
Gab Marcotti discusses Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad after Vinicius Junior scores twice.
The most significant positive, of course, is the result: a 4-1 win against the form team of LaLiga that allows Madrid to reclaim the top spot in the table, at least for 48 hours until Barcelona plays again. The Bernabeu crowd was subdued, but not overtly critical of manager Alvaro Arbeloa and the team, which is another positive, especially with two legs upcoming in the Champions League playoffs against Benfica (and whatever psychological challenges Jose Mourinho might present).
Then there is Vinícius Júnior. With a battered Kylian Mbappé on the bench — a precaution ahead of the Champions League — and Gonzalo García performing the dirty work in a 4-4-2, Vini was free to showcase his skills. And he did, winning two penalties and ensuring he would haunt Jon Aramburu’s nightmares for the foreseeable future.
With Mbappe and Jude Bellingham unavailable, Vini was tasked with demonstrating leadership, and he succeeded. Can he maintain this level of performance alongside Mbappe while also managing some defensive responsibilities? That remains to be seen, but Saturday’s performance was promising.
Gonzalo opened the scoring and demonstrated once again that he is a quality, reliable center forward option. He is also capable of being prolific without Mbappe. The statistic circulating is that he has yet to score in 574 minutes with the Frenchman on the pitch, but has a goal every 81 minutes when Mbappe is absent. Trent Alexander-Arnold made his first start in two-and-a-half months and provided an assist, allowing Fede Valverde to return to his preferred midfield position (from which he scored, incidentally).
The negatives? Once again, Dean Huijsen struggled, conceding a penalty. Arda Güler was inconsistent in the playmaking role. Most importantly, this setup — while potentially effective in the short term — does not seem sustainable long-term, especially once Mbappe and Bellingham are reintegrated into the squad. Needs must, I suppose. However, it further indicates that Real Madrid will only truly develop and stabilize next season, likely under a different coach.
Quick hits
10. Bayern Munich continues to dominate, and Harry Kane reaches 500 goals: I hesitate to mention this, as I find this type of record (club goals plus international goals) contrived. No one discussed it until Cristiano Ronaldo’s “countdown to a thousand total goals” became a convenient talking point … as if he requires this sort of attention. This is not a valid measure of greatness. Yes, the current top three are Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Pele, so that part is fine, but the top 10 also includes Jimmy Jones and Joe Bambrick, and my guess is that you are unfamiliar with them.
Nonetheless, Kane scored twice in Bayern’s 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen, a win that could be described as comfortable if not for the fact that Manuel Neuer was substituted for Jonas Urbig at half-time due to a muscle injury, and Kane now boasts 422 club goals and another 78 for England, totaling a neat 500. Kane’s status among the greatest goalscorers in history is already assured, of course. Arguably more impressive in this match than his goals was his playmaking, particularly the precise pass that set up Luis Díaz in the first half.
9. Lens’ second-chance players are making a mark at the top of Ligue 1: Indeed, it’s true. Lens has won 17 of their last 19 matches, and following their 5-0 away victory against Paris FC, they now sit atop Ligue 1 thanks to Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-1 loss to Rennes on Friday. Few anticipate they will remain there by season’s end, but even fewer expected them to embark on such a run.
This reflects the excellent work Pierre Sage is doing, along with the fact that they are not competing in European football. It is also enjoyable to witness a group of players who were once highly regarded youngsters finding their level and making a significant impact, from Florian Thauvin to Amadou Haidara, and from Odsonne Édouard to Malang Sarr. Additionally, seasoned players like Allan Saint-Maximin, returning from his time in Saudi Arabia and Mexico, are lining up alongside homegrown talents like Rayan Fofana. It’s a nice blend, and they are entertaining to watch. They may just challenge PSG until the end …
play1:01Laurens: Eze needed this performance for Arsenal
Julien Laurens commends Eberechi Eze’s performance against Wigan as Mikel Arteta rotated his starting XI in the FA Cup.
8. Arsenal thrashes Wigan and Eberechi Eze excels, but is there such a thing as too many options? It may seem absurd, but consider the reasoning. Arsenal is so deep that they have the luxury of a competent replacement for every single one of their starters (except perhaps Declan Rice, although if we had the chance to see Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield on Sunday, perhaps him too). In fact, aside from Rice, Martín Zubimendi, and possibly the starting center-backs, we are approaching a point where the backup is not merely a Plan B, but can be superior to Plan A on any given day.
The 4-0 rout within half an hour against Wigan is not remarkable for the scoreline. It stands out for the manner in which Mikel Arteta reshuffled his squad and still achieved a top-notch performance. The question arises at what point it becomes challenging to select the right players for each match. When there are too many options, it can complicate the decision-making process, leading to second-guessing. Moreover, players who do not participate will not be pleased (though this only becomes problematic when it extends over a prolonged period or the team is not winning). Arteta has made very few errors this season. Increasingly, his challenge will not be a tactical one, but a matter of managing personnel.
7. Pedro Neto, not your typical Chelsea signing, shines: I have been wanting to write about him for some time, and his hat-trick in Chelsea’s 4-0 FA Cup victory over Hull provides the perfect opportunity. Neto is an anomaly among club signings since the Blues shifted to their model of investing heavily in talented youngsters. He was 24 when they acquired him from Wolves for £50m, making him older than nearly all their recent signings (except João Félix — an accounting move — and Tosin Adarabioyo, a free agent).
Neto was also not marketed as a highly touted young player with immense potential. He was simply … a player, which is why the fee seemed excessive. However, while he might not feature in Chelsea’s Best XI for a one-off match, only Trevoh Chalobah and Enzo Fernández have started more league matches among outfield players, and he receives significant playing time partly due to his versatility and reliability. Neto can operate on either wing as well as in the No.10 role, and even when his offensive contributions are lacking, he provides energy and work rate. In a team filled with youth, he serves as a pillar of stability. In hindsight, that investment appears very well spent, even if he never becomes a breakout superstar.
6. Struggling Napoli bend, but do not break against Roma: Their injury list is so extensive that it is almost comical (Scott McTominay is the latest to be sidelined), and on Sunday night, Napoli faced the real possibility of being overtaken by Roma in the standings. Newly signed Alisson Santos scored a late equalizer in the 2-2 draw to salvage the result, demonstrating character and resilience more than sheer talent.
This will not be sufficient to reopen the title race — Inter is 11 points clear with 13 matches remaining — but it at least confirms that the atmosphere around the club is solid
