The latest edition of the Derby della Madonnina left the blue half of Milan fuming after a narrow 1-0 defeat to AC Milan.
While Pervis Estupiñán’s first-half goal secured the bragging rights for the Rossoneri, the post-match discourse has been dominated by one man: referee Daniele Doveri.
Despite holding a seven-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, Cristian Chivu’s Inter camp felt hard done by several high-profile decisions in the closing stages of the match.
For a game of this magnitude, the fallout regarding officiating is rarely quiet, and Sunday night at San Siro was no exception.
Rafa Leandro had issued a ‘win or die’ war cry ahead of the game and his AC Milan teammates certainly responded.
The Samuele Ricci Handball: Penalty or Natural Position?
The most explosive moment occurred in the 95th minute of play.
With Inter throwing everything forward in search of a late equalizer, the ball struck the arm of Milan midfielder Samuele Ricci after a deflection from Denzel Dumfries.
The Inter players immediately surrounded Doveri, pleading for a penalty that could have salvaged a point.
However, after a silent check with the VAR room, the referee waved play away.
The justification?
Ricci’s arm was adjudged to be in a “natural position,” with the player making an instinctive movement to avoid the contact rather than making himself “unnaturally larger.”
Inter head coach Cristian Chivu was stoic in his post-match press conference, stating: “I was told the VAR checked it, so I have nothing to add. I am focused on the performance and my own mistakes.”
Despite his calm exterior, the frustration within the squad was palpable, especially as the replay suggested the contact significantly altered the ball’s trajectory.
Stoppage Time and the “Ghost Goal” Controversy
Beyond the penalty appeal, Inter’s coaching staff – led by assistant Aleksandar Kolarov – expressed disbelief at the amount of stoppage time.
Despite numerous substitutions, VAR checks, and injury stoppages, Doveri only added six minutes.
The Nerazzurri bench felt this was insufficient given the stop-start nature of the second half.
Furthermore, a “ghost goal” incident added fuel to the fire. Just moments before the handball shout, Carlos Augusto bundled the ball into the net from a corner.
However, Doveri had already blown his whistle for scuffling in the box while the ball was still in mid-air.
By stopping play early, he prevented the VAR from even being able to review the goal, a tactical officiating choice that left the San Siro crowd incensed.
Disciplinary Inconsistency: Should Red Cards Have Been Shown?
The Italian sports dailies, including Corriere dello Sport, have been quick to point out Doveri’s perceived leniency.
The match was characterized by heavy challenges that often went unpunished. Specifically, questions have been raised regarding a foul by Estupiñán on Nicolò Barella and a late challenge by Adrien Rabiot on Federico Dimarco.
Many pundits argue that had Doveri been stricter with his yellow cards early on, the game might not have spiralled into the chaotic, physical brawl it became in the final ten minutes.
The Road Ahead: Inter’s Scudetto Lead
Despite the defeat and the officiating drama, Inter remain the favorites to clinch the title.
With a seven-point cushion and only ten games remaining, the Nerazzurri have their destiny in their own hands.
However, this second derby defeat of the season serves as a wake-up call; when the margins are this thin, a single refereeing call can change the course of a season.
