The negative protagonist last night at San Siro was referee Daniele Chiffi, guilty of delivering a performance that was widely inadequate (as was the entire officiating team) due to very questionable decisions, most notably the expulsion of Tijjani Reijnders in the 30th minute of the first half.
La Gazzetta dello Sport rating for referee Daniele Chiffi set at 4.5:
Too many mistakes. Aside from the mentioned incidents, he does not book Touré for a harsh tackle on Chukwueze. Udinese protests for a handball by Pavlovic, but his arm is close to his body."
Il Corriere dello Sport's rating is 6:
"The most delicate decision concerns the cancellation of the goal in added time: Ekkelnkamp's offside was millimetric, and there was a long review at the monitor before disallowing Udinese's equalizer. Reijnders was sent off for a touch on Lovric at the edge of the area: VAR checked before allowing the direct red. A goal by Ehizibue was disallowed for offside after Lovric almost imperceptibly diverted Zarraga's cross. Iker Bravo held Pulisic at the edge of the Udinese area: the Spaniard was spared a booking. Kabasele elbowed Morata, who remained on the ground covering his face: the replay shows that the defender's touch was slight. Bijol was penalized for blocking Morata in midfield: the yellow card was justified. There was contact between Pavlovic and Kabasele in the Rossoneri area: the refereeing check deemed the Serbian's slide accidental. Shortly after, Pavlovic again risked a penalty with a hand movement that was not judged to be a foul."
