AC Milan managed to ride out the late drama in their game against Genoa and came away with all three points. However, it could have been more comfortable for the Rossoneri if it hadn’t been for a serious refereeing mistake.
Today’s edition of Gazzetta Dello Sport (see photo below) has taken stock of the referee’s performance. The alleged handball of Christian Pulisic on the goal couldn’t be confirmed by the VAR images, and thus it was right to allow the goal.
Mike Maignan’s red card for a serious four play was also correct, just like the second yellow of Genoa goalkeeper Josep Martinez. However, the referee should have let the play go on before giving the second yellow.
It was ‘a serious mistake’ by the referee, per the newspaper, as Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic were alone against one Genoa man in the middle of the pitch. Almost certainly, they would have scored a goal.
The guidelines are that the referees should stop the game if there is a red card to be handed out, unless there is an obvious goalscoring opportunity at that moment. One could argue that Milan’s chance was exactly that.
