Football Italia’s transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà examines referee controversies from Torino-Cremonese and Parma-Lazio and criticises the reported proposal to reschedule a big game from Round 30 by just 45 minutes.
Cremonese were not given a penalty kick despite a clear Simeone handball, a kind of incident that previously led to opposite decisions from the referee and VAR.
PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Valentin Castellanos of SS Lazio kiks the ball during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 13, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
“They need to explain how this works, because it can’t go on like this,” Pedullà said.
“VAR unplagged itself and decided not to intervene; that’s not a penalty! So they need to guide us on all the other situations that, in the same circumstances, should not be penalties either.”
The Italian pundit also praised Cremonese coach Davide Nicola for the sportsmanship shown in post-match interviews.
Pedullà also criticised the latest proposal, which appeared in the Italian media, to potentially postpone a big game of Round 30 by just 45 minutes in order to give Gennaro Gattuso more rested players for the World Cup play-off in March.
The Aquile had a very poor away record, so things weren’t looking good for them when Mattia Zaccagni was shown a straight red card for his mistimed lunge on Nahuel Estevez just before half-time.
It got even worse at the 77th minute when Toma Basic was also sent off, this time for elbowing Estevez in the ribs during an off the ball incident.
However, Lazio grabbed the victory when down to nine men against 11 at the Stadio Tardini when Tijjani Noslin robbed a defender, dribbled around the goalkeeper and deposited into an empty net.
Sarri impressed with Lazio attitude
PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Lazio, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 13, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“This win can give us enthusiasm, but I think the lads had already begun to believe more from the end of September,” Sarri told DAZN.
“We were two men down today, but if we look at the game overall, the victory is fully deserved. The team is improving both in terms of mentality and the performances on the field.
“I said that I was enjoying myself with this squad and I stand by that. Have I ever won 9 against 11? Actually I was coaching during Entella-Figline when we won with 8 against 10…”
PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Lazio, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 13, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“We were down to 10 men against Bologna last week and didn’t lose our organisation then either. I saw the same thing today, even if with two players sent off it’s more complicated,” continued Sarri.
“I introduced players off the bench who were suited to these situations. For example, Oliver Provstgaard gave us a big hand.”
PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Mattia Zaccagni of SS Lazio leaves the field after receiving a red card during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 13, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
The double red card means both Zaccagni and Basic will be suspended for the next Serie A match against Cremonese, but at least Mario Gila will be back, as he sat out a ban today.
Gil Patric also got his first start in nine months and impressed in defence.
“Unfortunately, we’re getting used to these situations. If we’ve got 11 players available, then we’ll start them, otherwise we’ll just start with 10 and save time,” laughed Sarri.
There are some question marks over both the straight red cards, as while Zaccagni’s challenge was very clumsy, he didn’t make full contact on the Nahuel Estevez shin.
“I don’t think he really gets him at all, as he connects with the ankle and not the studs. It feels a bit much. I realise it doesn’t give a good impression seen at full speed, but the red seems harsh.”
Lazio managed to grab a rare away victory with Tijjani Noslin’s late goal against Parma despite being down to nine men, with Mattia Zaccagni and Toma Basic sent off.
The Biancocelesti were slipping down the table after one point from two rounds, albeit very tough fixtures against Milan and Bologna. Gustav Isaksen joined Samuel Gigot and Nicolò Rovella on the injury list, with Mario Gila suspended. Parma missed Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Alessandro Circati, Zion Suzuki and Matija Frigan. There was a special patch on their shirts for the upcoming 112th anniversary of the club’s foundation.
PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Luca Pellegrini of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 13, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Matteo Cancellieri stung goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi’s gloves at the near post in the opening minutes, but at the other end Adrian Bernabé tested Ivan Provedel from the edge of the area.
Taty Castellanos was a yard out ready to nod in the Adam Marusic knockdown from a free kick when Nahuel Estevez cleared it practically off the line.
Toma Basic’s free kick was just over the bar, then his strike on a Mattia Zaccagni assist forced a desperate save out of Corvi.
The game changed just before half-time when Mattia Zaccagni went lunging into a late and high challenge in midfield on Estevez and the referee opted for a straight red card.
PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Mattia Zaccagni of SS Lazio leaves the field after receiving a red card during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 13, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Enrico Delprato went off injured, but Mateo Pellegrino again tested Provedel straight after the restart, while Adrian Bernabe blasted over under pressure from Luca Pellegrini.
Lazio received a second red card for violent conduct when Basic was spotted by the referee elbowing Estevez in the ribs during an off the ball incident, reducing them to nine men.
PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Matteo Guendouzi of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Emanuele Valeri of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 13, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Incredibly, the Aquile still took the lead even though they were two men down. Noslin caught Lautaro Valenti napping on the edge of the area, then kept his cool to dribble around Corvi and fire into the empty net as a Parma player tried to get back on the line.
Provedel performed a fantastic one-handed reaction save moments later, readjusting to deal with the deflection and palm the Estevez screamer out from under the bar. On the resulting corner, Pellegrino’s acrobatic attempt flashed wide.
Check out the probable line-ups and latest team news for Saturday’s three Serie A matches: Torino vs. Cremonese, Parma vs. Lazio and Atalanta vs. Cagliari.
Today, Saturday, December 13, there are three more matches: Torino vs. Cremonese at 15:00 CET (14:00 GMT), Parma vs. Lazio at 18:00 CET and Atalanta vs. Cagliari at 20:45 CET.
CREMONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 01: Jamie Vardy of US Cremonese celebrates after scoring the 1-2 goal during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Juventus FC at Stadio Giovanni Zini on November 01, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Valentin Castellanos of Lazio celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Olimpico on August 31, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Watch on TV: DAZN in the UK and Ireland, Paramount+ in the USA
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Gianluca Scamacca of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Chelsea FC at Stadio di Bergamo on December 09, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Atalanta vs. Cagliari
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Scamacca.
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