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.
Torino celebrated their first win in over two months by seeing off Cremonese thanks to the Nikola Vlasic strike, but there were penalty appeals in stoppages.
The Granata were in crisis after three consecutive defeats, hovering just above the drop zone and without a win in six rounds, and sacking director of sport Davide Vagnati. Giovanni Simeone, Ardian Ismajli and Adrien Tameze were back in the squad, leaving only long-term absentees Perr Schuurs and Zanos Savva. Cremonese were buzzing after back-to-back wins over Bologna and Lecce, sending them into the top 10. Jeremy Sarmiento, Francesco Folino, Alberto Grassi, Mikayil Faye and Michele Collocolo missed the trip, then Matteo Bianchetti pulled out in the warm-up with a nosebleed.
TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Federico Bonazzoli of US Cremonese is challenged by Nikola Vlasić of Torino FC during the Serie A match between Torino FC and US Cremonese at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on December 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Diego Puletto/Getty Images)
Federico Ceccherini’s header from a corner was well smothered, but Emil Audero needed a great save getting down one-handed to keep out the powerful Che Adams angled drive.
Toro opened the scoring when Duvan Zapata controlled a cross from the left with his back to goal and turned, but in trying to intercept, Federico Baschirotto just knocked it down for Nikola Vlasic to smash in from 10 yards.
Cremonese responded immediately, Alberto Paleari forced into a tricky save on Federico Bonazzoli’s acrobatic chest and bicycle-kick. Moments later, Jamie Vardy drew out the goalkeeper, but couldn’t keep it in play after springing the offside trap.
TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Marcus Pedersen of Torino FC is challenged by Jamie Vardy of US Cremonese during the Serie A match between Torino FC and US Cremonese at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on December 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Diego Puletto/Getty Images)
Toro continued to create the best chances after the restart, Adams stinging Audero’s gloves, while at the other end Ceccherini’s strike was straight at Paleari.
Romano Floriani Mussolini got back for a decisive block on the Marcus Pedersen counter-attack, but Cremonese wasted a golden opportunity to equalise on 80 minutes.
Vardy sprung the offside trap down the left and rolled across only for Faris Moumbagna to fire over as he came sliding in at the back post.
TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Valentino Lazaro of Torino FC is challenged by Martín Payero of US Cremonese during the Serie A match between Torino FC and US Cremonese at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on December 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Diego Puletto/Getty Images)
Adams could also have sealed it for Torino, cutting inside Federico Baschirotto to bend a right-foot finish inches past the far post.
Simeone stung Audero’s gloves from a tricky angle too, but there was controversy deep into stoppages when Simeone controlled the Alessio Zerbin free kick with his shoulder and it ricocheted onto the arm. VAR had a silent check, but ultimately decided not to suggest an On-Field Review for a Cremonese penalty.
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.
Duván Zapata is back at the centre of Torino’s plans. He started against Milan, produced a strong performance and scored, a goal that didn’t change the result but confirmed his condition is finally where it needs to be.
On Monday, emissaries from a Turkish club, early signs suggest Beşiktaş, were in Turin to explore a possible move ahead of the January window.
Zapata regains place at Torino amid interest
A few weeks ago, given the forward’s struggle to return to full rhythm, nothing could be ruled out.
Now the picture has shifted. Torino are convinced they’ve got Zapata back and intend to rely on him, part of an attacking depth chart that should not trigger movement in January.
Torino Duvan Zapata injured EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI
However, the overall situation still requires monitoring, especially with Ngonge failing to provide the impact the club expected.
For now, Torino enjoy the return of a fully fit Zapata. Next step, a delicate trip to face a brave Cremonese side.
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