According to the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, referee Mercenaro’s officiating in yesterday’s Milan - Bologna match was not convincing. The most controversial incident was without doubt the penalty initially awarded to Milan and then overturned after the VAR review: "There is no foul by Freuler on Nkunku. It is the Rossonero who hits Freuler’s foot, which was already on the ground. Correct to revoke it. But… the first challenge by Lucumi was more punishable, a push with the right side of his body on the Rossonero."
There was also another doubtful moment, again in Bologna’s area, involving Christian Pulisic:
"Heggem makes contact with Pulisic in the box, a clear movement towards the opponent. Rocchi wants penalties to be clear, yet a doubt remains."
On the other hand, it was correct to disallow the goal scored in the first half by Cambiaghi for Bologna due to offside: "Cambiaghi was offside at the moment of Orsolini's shot, which was deflected (and not played, therefore not resetting any position) by Pavlovic. Cambiaghi was offside, beyond Tomori. Castro was onside and let the ball go to his teammate. Had he shot (and scored) himself, the goal would have stood."
