Refereeing expert judges controversial Inter 1-1 Atalanta incidents | OneFootball

DAZN refereeing expert Luca Marelli has given his verdict on the controversial decisions that infuriated Inter in their 1-1 draw with Atalanta. ‘They are subjective situations.’

There were two significant incidents in the space of a few final minutes of this Serie A match at San Siro, after Francesco Pio Esposito had opened the scoring.

Inter furious with refereeing decisions

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 14: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Inter Milano, looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Atalanta equalised with Nikola Krstovic only after Kamaldeen Sulemana had robbed Denzel Dumfries on the edge of the area, making the Dutch player stumble and fall over.

Referee Gianluca Manganiello had the whistle in his mouth, seemingly hesitated, and eventually did not blow it, awarding the goal.

A long VAR check confirmed the original decision, which infuriated Cristian Chivu so much that the Inter coach was sent off.

“There is no lower contact between the legs, the only contact is one hand resting on the back, but he doesn’t seem to push,” explained DAZN expert and former referee Marelli.

“In my view, Manganiello was right to let play continue, because any contact is minimal.”

The other moment to hit the headlines occurred a few moments later, when Davide Frattesi got to a bouncing ball first, caught on the boot by Giorgio Scalvini.

Here too, the referee waved play on, and VAR did not consider it necessary to suggest an On-Field Review.

“It is a subjective situation, penalties are a serious matter and should not be given for any contact,” added Marelli.

“I see contact between Scalvini and Frattesi that should be evaluated, but there isn’t a genuine kick from the Atalanta defender.

“I don’t think Manganiello saw it, but I also feel VAR was right not to intervene, because this is not a clear and obvious error.

“It is a situation that can be interpreted and of course all opinions are legitimate.”