Italiano angry after Bologna defeat and VAR role in controversial red card

Vincenzo Italiano was incredulous after Bologna’s ‘undeserved’ stoppage-time home defeat to Parma and raged at VAR. ‘That was not a red card, it wasn’t even a challenge.’

The Rossoblu have been struggling badly of late, especially in Serie A, where they have just one win and three draws in the last 12 rounds.

They had started strong today, until Tommaso Pobega was sent off for ‘serious foul play’ just 22 minutes into the Derby d’Emilia Romagna, a harsh decision suggested by the VAR review after the referee had initially only booked the midfielder.

Italiano stunned by Bologna bad luck

“The only thing we did badly wrong today was lose the game, because that was not a red card, it wasn’t even a challenge,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.

Despite being down to 10 men for over an hour, and with Parma later also seeing Mariano Troilo sent off, it was decided deep into stoppages by a Christian Ordonez snapshot.

“Putting in a performance like this when down to 10 men says everything,” insisted Italiano.

“Even after they scored, we still created another three scoring opportunities of our own. This is one of those spells where the moment we make a mistake, we are punished for it, and whoever comes here ends up taking away three undeserved points.”

It was the fourth consecutive defeat for Bologna in Serie A, who are now without a win on home turf in the league since beating Napoli 2-0 at the Stadio Dall’Ara on November 9.

“Our priority today was to put in a good performance, and we did that. Aside from the defeat to Milan, I have seen improvements. Today we were back playing like the team that won the Coppa Italia eight months ago.”

Nonetheless, this result will increase the already existing rumours that Bologna could fire Italiano to recall Thiago Motta, who has been out of work since he was sacked by Juventus.