“Electric shock for Juve”, “VAR brawl”: this Monday morning, all the Italian newspapers were only talking regarding the meeting between Juventus and Salernitana and its incredible end to the match. While Juventus had just equalized at 2-2, the Bianconeri inherited a last corner in stoppage time. Magnificently kicked by Cuadrado, the ball was sent over the head of Milik who deflected at the far post towards Bonucci, whose deviation was a hit.
At the time, it was believed that the Old Lady had just pulled off a genuine feat by totally turning the tide of the encounter in the very last moments. But everything collapsed in a few seconds for the Turinese. Already warned, Milik was sent off by the referee following removing his shirt on goal. A goal … which was finally canceled by the VAR for an offside by Bonucci. A decision that infuriated the players and staff of Juventus. A fight broke out and coach Massimiliano Allegri as well as players Juan Cuadrado and Federico Fazio were sent off.
Still, VAR made an incredible mistake by disallowing the goal. If, on the close-ups on the large rectangle, the position of Bonucci did not seem to be in doubt, it omitted the presence of Candreva, the defender of Salernitana who was close to the corner post… and put the defender of the Juve onside. The VAR representative therefore forgot to count Candreva when drawing the offside line and the goal was officially invalidated despite protests from the Bianconeri.
If Juventus have lost two points this weekend and still concede a little more ground to their competitors, it is very likely that the big loser will be arbitration.