A late VAR drama saved a ten-man Benevento at the Ciro Vigorito Stadium as the Streghe managed to hold an apathetic Roma to a nil-nil draw in Serie A Round 23. When the clock was striking the last minute of added time, Daam Foulon knocked Stephan El Shaarawy in the box and referee Luca Pairetto pointed to the penalty spot with no hesitation.
But, in an unexpected plot twist, the VAR suggested the referee to cancel his decision as it caught Lorenzo Pellegrini offside in the build-up. And so, as Foulon almost cried in relief, Benevento managed to hold out to a hard-earned point despite playing with one man less for more than 30 minutes.
It was a wasted chance for Paulo Fonseca and Roma as the visitor Giallorossi had the possibility to reduce their gap from second-placed Milan to three points but almost never managed to test Lorenzo Montipò in what was a disappointing display.
More from the boss after tonight's draw…
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Perhaps the coach will regret introducing Edin Dzeko only late into the second half. The Bosnian hitman indeed started from the bench as Roma’s only striker was Borja Mayoral, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lorenzo Pellegrini supporting him as trequartisti.
The Giallorossi, however, took more than 30 minutes to challenge Montipò for the first time and it was only thanks to a mistake from Benevento’s Pasquale Schiattarella. Before a very dull half time came to an end, Benevento tried to make the best out of a melee in the Wolves’ area but both Kamil Glik and Federico Barba failed to find the winning shot.
After the restart, Roma went close to break the deadlock but the home goalkeeper managed to deny a Mkhitaryan incursion as the Armenian was brilliantly released by Pellegrini.
On 52 minutes, Fonseca’s side was served the best chance of the night as Kamil Glik was booked for the second time and received his marching orders by Luca Pairetto. The Portuguese coach smelled blood and finally introduced Dzeko for Jordan Veretout, placing him next to Mayoral and doubling his offensive options.
Still, Roma struggled to create anything meaningful and Benevento closed themselves even more than in the first half. With one man less, that’s all Filippo Inzaghi’s side could do and the plan seemed to be successful until the very last minute – when Foulon’s reckless tackle could cost his side a lot.
But Lady Luck was on Benevento’s side tonight as the VAR came to the rescue. The Streghe are winless in the last seven games, but tonight’s point against Roma helped them taking a massive step towards safety.
MATCH REPORT
February 21, 2021 – Serie A 2020-2021 Round 23
BENEVENTO-ROMA 0-0
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BENEVENTO (4-3-2-1): Montipò; Depaoli, Tuia, Glik, Barba; Hetemaj, Schiattarella, Viola (59′ Caldirola); Ionita, Caprari (68′ Insigne), Lapadula (Lucatelli, Manfredini, Pastina, Diambo, Di Serio, Sau, Gaich, Moncini, Tello) Coach: F. Inzaghi |
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ROMA (3-4-2-1): Pau Lopez; Mancini, Fazio (72′ Juan Jesus), Spinazzola; Karsdorp (72′ Pedro), Villar, Veretout (58′ Dzeko), Peres; Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan (82′ El Shaarawy); Borja Mayoral (Fuzato, Mirante, Podgoreanu, Feratovic, Diawara, Pastore, Carles Perez) Coach: Fonseca |
REFEREE: Mr. Pairetto from Nichelino
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Schiattarella, Montipò (B), Fazio (R); Red Cards: Glik, Inzaghi (B); Extra Time: 1st Half 1′, 2nd Half 5′
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