Despite having a solid and long career behind him, referee Massa, appointed by Rocchi for yesterday afternoon’s match at San Siro, had never refereed a Milan-Lazio match. Top tier challenge the one that had been entrusted to him but how did Imperia’s whistle fare in the Rossoneri’s 2-0 success?
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Milan-Lazio, Massa’s history with the two teams
Massa met Milan yesterday for the seventeenth time: until yesterday the record was 6 wins, 6 draws and 4 defeats. Not lucky the last previous one which brings Massa back to the Rossoneri. The last appearance of Pioli’s team with his management dates back to 15 April 2023, when Pobega responded to Sansone’s opening goal with a left-footed shot from outside the area but the referee missed two penalties for the Rossoneri.
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24 previous matches with the Biancocelesti: 11 wins, 5 draws and 6 defeats. The last time Massa had refereed a match for Sarri’s team was on the occasion of the derby last year dated 19 March 2023, won by Lazio with a goal from Zaccagni.
Massa booked five players
Assisted by Vecchi and Perrotti, with Ghersini fourth man, Get your mazzoleni and Abbatista at Avar in Milan-Lazio, referee Massa booked 5 players, including three from Pioli’s team: 51′ Marusic, 64′ Romagnoli, 65′ Leao, 84′ Theo Hernandez, 86′ Maignan. Recovery time: 2′ 1T, 5′ 2T.
Milan-Lazio, the slow motion cases
These are the dubious episodes. In the 34th minute Calabria remains down following a clash with Zaccagni. The Lazio striker, in an attempt to get rid of his opponent, hits him with an elbow to the face. Pretty hard impact, but referee Massa decided not to draw any cards.
In the 94th minute Lazio scores with Pedro, but the goal was disallowed due to Immobile’s offside at the start of the action. After a check by the VAR, the offside is confirmed correctly.
For Marelli, Zaccagni is missing the yellow
Luca Marelli clarifies this. The Dazn expert focuses on the first of the two episodes and explains: «Massa is missing a whistle and a card is missing for Zaccagni, there is no voluntariness. But a card was needed for the stroke giallo»
Source: Ansa
