Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot has launched a scathing attack on referee Massimiliano Irrati, who played a key role in the outcome of the match. Inter ended the Bianconeri’s 16-match unbeaten league run, by virtue of a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty that was the subject of controversy due to it being retaken after the referee pointed out a breach during the first attempt.
Wojciech Szczesny thwarted away the first attempt with a brilliant save, but it had to be retaken due to encroachment in the penalty area by several Juventus players, most notable Matthijs De Ligt. Ex-Rossoneri midfielder Calhanoglu stepped up to convert the set piece at the second time of asking with a sublime strike into Szczesny’s bottom left corner.
Speaking to the press after the match (via FCInterNews), French midfield ace shed light on the performance of official Irrati during the match.
He said: “It is difficult to win in eleven against twelve, but for the next matches I hope to have a referee who is fine because it is important to say even when the referee makes a mistake. Tonight, he was too wrong.”
A foul on Denis Zakaria was then denied by Irrati and even after the VAR review, Juventus found no respite.
“We hit the woodwork, perhaps should’ve had a penalty too. The referee decided the match this evening. I think the foul on Denis Zakaria was inside the area. It was an important incident that unfortunately changed the game,” he disclosed.
Juventus, Rabiot: "L'arbitro ha deciso la partita, il fallo su Zakaria era dentro l'area" https://t.co/rY1e0uyJ7i
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Juventus are firmly out of the title race, at least for the moment. Inter on the other hand, have re-emerged in the three-way Scudetto run that is bound to end in thrills with just a few matches to go.