Besides
the fact that I have completely lost my appetite for lasagna after this match,
I couldn’t help but notice a bit of VAR Karma, or VARma™. Udinese’s
president, Pozzo, had spoken out in favor of VAR this week, as he felt
it would end his perceived referee favors to Juventus. Little did he know that
VAR is all powerful and all-knowing, and it could also impact his team
negatively, too. So while Milan were being force-fed some Lasagna, Udinese
received some VARma™.
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| VAR was MOTM in front of nearly 50,000 fans |
The match
started off well enough until the tenth minute, when Lasagna scored, only to
have his goal disallowed after a VAR review for offside. I was dying to see if Pozzo
was there and what his face looked like. Wonder if he ever thought about how
VAR could also negate any ref favors for Udines? However in replays, this
looked to be the correct call in this situation, even if it was VARma™ for
Udinese.
Technology
was on display again in the 19th minute when it took GLT (Goal Line Technology)
to be certain that Bonucci’s shot didn’t fully cross the line after Kalinic had
hit the bar. But then in the 22nd, there could be no mistaking, Kalinic scored
on an assist from Calabria to open up his scoresheet and make it 1-0 Milan.
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| A |
Five
minutes later, Romagnoli got a yellow for being a bruiser, and stopped just
short of earning a second yellow by complaining to the ref about it. I assume
his move just two minutes later was penance for his behavior, as it was in the
18th that he passed it to Lasagna, who took it and slotted it past the other
two Milan defenders to make it 1-1 all. I’m going to guess Romagnoli won’t want
any Lasagna for a while, either. Not to fear, however, as three minutes later,
Kalinic scored his second goal to make it 2-1 Milan.
There
were some great performances, such as Kessie, who almost singlehandedly powered
the midfield, made dribbles, and even took shots. Then Montella made subs,
Cutrone on for Suso and Calhanoglu for Bonaventura in the 69th minute, then
finally subbing Kalinic off for Locatelli in the 85th. But not before Kalinic
scored a third goal, which was called back for offside after VAR was used. This
one confused me, as all of the screenshots and replays showed him onside. But
maybe one of his shoelaces was offside, who knows? Their screens must be very
high res or something. Although it denied Kalinic his hat trick, it didn’t
change the score or impact the match like Lasagna’s first goal would have.
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| The man is simply a beast |
I felt
like there was improvement in play, and it gave me slightly more confidence in
Montella’s preoccupation with his 3-5-2. I still don’t understand why Silva and
Calhanoglu didn’t get the start. Sure, they had just played Thursday, but they
both have fewer minutes overall than many of the starters. Kessie, for example,
will need to be rested at some point. We saw again that VAR has no friends, but
is quickly making enemies. But also if you criticize the refs, it will come
back to haunt you. So while Milan enjoy the three points and move on to
Wednesday’s match, Pozzo and Udinese enjoy some VARma™.
This match inspired by the music
of Radiohead’s “Karma Police”
Our next match is
Serie A Week 5
Milan vs. SPAL
Wednesday, September
20 • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm)
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