Italian newspapers seem to have different views regarding a penalty kick awarded to Verona against Juventus on Saturday, but they all agree that Gift Orban should have been sent off in the first half....
Italian newspapers seem to have different views regarding a penalty kick awarded to Verona against Juventus on Saturday, but they all agree that Gift Orban should have been sent off in the first half.
Juventus coach Tudor was upset with refereeing decisions in a 1-1 draw against Verona on Saturday, and Italian media suggest that the Croatian tactician was right to complain.
First and foremost, Gazzetta, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport agree that Verona striker Orban should have been sent off for elbowing Juventus defender Federico Gatti before the break.
The Verona man only received a yellow card, and Italian newspapers argue that VAR Gianluca Aureliano should have signalled Orban’s violent conduct.
Verona striker deserved red card vs. Juventus
VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Gift Orban of Hellas Verona celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
As for the penalty kick awarded to Verona for Joao Mario’s handball, Italian newspaper seem to have different views.
Tuttosport and Corriere dello Sport claim that the decision, taken after an on-field review, was wrong because Joao Mario was surprised by Nelsson, who was in front of him and missed the header by just a fraction, so the ball, coming from an attacking throw-in, unexpectedly struck the Juventus defender’s arm.
According to Tuttosport, Joao Mario’s arm could not even be considered in an unnatural position, so VAR should not even have intervened.
Rapuano to be punished after mistakes in Verona-Juventus
VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Joao Mario of Juventus FC is challenged by Domagoj Bradaric of Hellas Verona during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Gazzetta, on the other hand, concedes that Joao Mario was covered by his opponent, but his arm still made his body unnaturally bigger, so the penalty kick decision is debatable but not necessarily wrong.
epa11855565 Fiorentina’s head coach Raffaele Palladino argues with referee Antonio Rapuano during the Italian Serie A soccer match between SS Lazio vs ACF Fiorentina at the Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 26 January 2025. EPA-EFE/GIUSEPPE LAMI
What Gazzetta highlights, however, is that Rapuano made a mistake in the announcement to the crowd, saying that the No.25 (Pierre Kalulu) touched the ball with his arm instead of the No.15, Joao Mario.
The Pink Paper adds that Rapuano’s officiating was deemed unconvincing by AIA, so the Italian official will likely referee the next few games in Serie B.
Category: General Sports
