Inter Milan claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Juventus in Saturday’s Serie A Derby d’Italia. But the win, Inter’s first “big game” triumph under coach Christian Chivu, was overshadowed by intense controversy. A contentious red card shown to Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu just before halftime left a bitter taste and sparked a furious post-match reaction.
Referee Federico La Penna issued Kalulu a second yellow card. This happened after an incident with Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, who fell to the ground. The decision reduced Juventus to 10 players for the entire second half, changing the game completely. Piotr Zielinski then scored a late winner for Inter, sealing the three points.
Red Card Sparks Fury and Debate
The pivotal moment arrived just before the break. Kalulu, already on a yellow, allegedly impeded Bastoni with his arm. Bastoni went down. La Penna showed the second yellow, meaning a red. This decision is non-rescindable for second yellows. Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini was enraged, calling for VAR designator Gianlu Rocchi to step down, according to Goal.com.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez spoke to Kalulu immediately after the incident. “It wasn’t a yellow card,” Martinez told him. He later confirmed the referee error, according to OneFootball. Bastoni himself asserted Kalulu tugged at him, making hand movements to indicate contact. Yet, reports from FCInterNews suggested Bastoni risked a second yellow for simulation.
Playing a man down for an entire half put Juventus at a massive disadvantage. It certainly contributed to Inter’s win. This rivalry always is. And the red card made it even more chaotic. It also fueled ongoing Serie A refereeing debates.
Chivu’s Comments Draw Fire
The post-match fallout extended beyond the red card itself. Inter coach Christian Chivu commented on Kalulu’s arm position. He claimed Kalulu “should have kept arm closer to body to defend player.” These remarks drew sharp criticism. Luciano Spalletti slammed Chivu’s comments as “stupid” and “unacceptable,” as ESPN reported. It felt like Chivu was accusing Kalulu of deliberate impedance.
And Martinez’s candid admission to Kalulu, caught on camera, only added to the firestorm. For him, the yellow wasn’t warranted. Inter president Beppe Marotta weighed in too. He deemed Juventus’s response excessive. But Marotta conceded Bastoni erred by diving and celebrating the dismissal. That’s a bit of an admission, isn’t it?
Ex-Serie A coach Cosmi criticized Chiellini’s rage. It seemed like everyone had an opinion on this. The incident, and Chivu’s comments, showed the deep tensions in Italian football. And the lack of clear resolution on the refereeing decision won’t help.
The Wider Implications for Serie A
This match wasn’t just about three points. It was a statement. Inter, under Chivu, finally broke their “big game curse” with this victory. They triumphed, yes, but controversy shadowed their success. This kind of incident just puts more pressure on officials.
The non-appealable nature of second yellow cards is a point of contention. Maybe that needs a look. Juventus feel wronged, and their calls for VAR designator Gianlu Rocchi to step down are serious. It shows the frustration.
You can see why they’re angry. But Inter played well too, despite the surrounding drama. They dominated parts of the game, even resting players like Marcus Thuram and Bastoni ahead of a Champions League clash.
The Derby d’Italia often delivers drama. This one, with a late goal and a red card debate, gave us plenty. But the controversy will stick around longer than the scoreline. It’s a talking point that won’t go away soon. And it shows how much a single call can change everything in a big match. Everyone’s waiting to see how the league addresses this. Because these refereeing debates, they keep happening.
