Ranieri furious: "The VAR should have stayed calm"
In Bergamo, Roma's formidable streak of 19 Serie A matches without defeat was broken. Veteran coach Claudio Ranieri could accept that – but not the penalty that was overturned by the VAR.
Angry at the VAR: Claudio Ranieri. IMAGO/ABACAPRESS
73 years old, finally retired from summer and commonly known as a gentleman: Claudio Ranieri .
Just a few minutes after the defeat at Champions League participant Atalanta Bergamo, which had ended Roma's proud run of 19 Serie A games without a loss (13 wins, five draws), the oldie lost his temper.
During his interview with DAZN , he became completely enraged, delivered a long monologue, barely allowing the reporter to intervene, and finally, after the rules expert had finished speaking, coldly ended the interview with the final words: "Have a nice evening!"
VAR? "It's disappointing that there's no consistency."The backdrop to Ranieri's fury came in the 63rd minute, when former Gladbach player Manu Koné entered the penalty area after a pass from Angelino and was seemingly brought down by a not particularly inspired opponent, Mario Pasalic . Referee Simone Sozza immediately pointed to the penalty spot, but reversed his decision two minutes later after VAR intervention and his own analysis of the TV images .
For Ranieri, this was a serious error in his conduct. "I'm not saying whether it was a penalty or not. I'm asking whether the VAR can intervene if there was contact on the ankle or knee?" Ranieri complained live on TV. Indeed, Pasalic had touched Koné, who was passing him after a brief delay, although Koné had gratefully accepted or sought contact. "I'd like to know: Was it 60-40? We were once told that the VAR only intervenes when the matter is clear (wrong; editor's note ) and there is a clear error (by the referee; editor's note )."
But that wasn't enough. Ranieri was just in the middle of venting his anger: "We all saw how Pasalic mishandled the challenge, put his foot in the way, and hit my player. The VAR shouldn't have intervened here. The referee awarded the penalty, so it should have remained a penalty. But the rules change from one game to the next—and we have to accept that. But it's disappointing to see that there's no consistency in this league."
We would like to have the rules explained again... Have they changed?
And again: "The VAR should have stayed calm. That's how it was explained to us. We'd like to have the rules explained again... Have they changed? We would even accept them if something had been changed. But please at least let us know," Ranieri concluded, only to lose interest after the referee's explanations—he could understand the penalty being withdrawn—and cut the interview short by congratulating Champions League participant Atalanta with the words: "Pasalic doesn't get the ball, he hits the player. How can you say 'no' to that? Have a nice evening!"
