VAR Inter-Fiorentina: Mariani loses control in the second half, a penalty is missing

The penalty not awarded in the 68th minute for the contact between Viery and Thuram is the most discussed episode in the video review of Inter–Fiorentina. According to the refereeing analysis, the foul was clear and the VAR should have intervened to correct Mariani‘s decision, who remained inactive. Just two minutes later, the same Viery was booked for a foul on Thuram, further proof that the contact had been considered irregular.

Appointed to officiate the match, Maurizio Mariani was assisted by linesmen Alassio and Rossi, with Zufferli as fourth official. In the VAR room was Fabbri, assisted by Santoro. In the first half, the referee let play continue consistently, perhaps even more than necessary: contacts on the field were constant and a few more whistles could have been justified. However, the flow of the game held up without significant consequences.

In the second half, the management worsened. In the 68th minute, the missed penalty for Viery-Thuram remains the clearest episode. In the 94th minute, however, the decision was correct: clear holding by Valdepeñas on Thuram, penalty awarded without hesitation.

Among other noteworthy episodes: in the 1st minute, correct free kick for Bastoni’s knee contact on Mastantuono; in the 5th minute, the ball on Bisseck‘s cross had not completely gone out, so it was a corner for Inter. In the 12th minute, Chivu touched the ball just before it crossed the sideline, an episode not noticed by the referee, but the Inter coach also risked a yellow card. In the 29th minute, Thuram risked a yellow for clearly holding Pongracic.

In the 33rd minute, Akanji pushed Pellegrino, who then touched the ball with his arm: the previous push, however, made the decision to let play continue understandable. In the 37th minute, arm touches in sequence by Bastoni and Pongracic, both in a natural position, no penalty to be awarded. In the 44th minute, Mariani did not sanction an arm swing by Pellegrino on Akanji nor the touch by Diouf on Valdepeñas: two close mistakes. In the 48th minute, Valdepeñas widened the point of contact with Barella a bit too much, causing him to lose balance: Mariani correctly called the foul. In the 50th minute, a corner was missed for Inter with Pongracic’s touch quite evident on Thuram’s attempt. In the 55th minute, a yellow card was missed for Bastoni for a late tackle on Mastantuono, a card that could have been shown. In the 82nd minute, the whistle was correct for Diouf’s handball in the attacking phase.