Como secured a 1–0 home victory against Venezia at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on November 1, 2026, though the match was overshadowed by a controversial VAR intervention that overturned a first-half penalty for the visitors. The decision left match referee Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi under scrutiny and prompted strong post-match reactions from both managers.

Why Did VAR Overturn the First-Half Penalty for Venezia?

The decisive flashpoint occurred around the 27th minute of the first half while the score remained 0–0, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. Ferrieri Caputi initially awarded a penalty to Venezia after Como midfielder Luis Milla handled the ball near the edge of the box while attempting to challenge Venezia’s Gianluca Busio. The ball had traveled off a preceding challenge between Lucas Da Cunha and Busio, striking Milla on his left arm, which was away from his body.

The stadium announcement subsequently confirmed the reversal: the penalty was canceled because Milla was judged not to have committed a deliberate foul. added further context to the sequence, noting that an initial touch by Como’s Da Cunha was also reviewed by officials before the final decision to disallow the spot-kick.

How Did Cesc Fabregas and Davide Nicola React to the Officiating?

Como manager Cesc Fabregas admitted in his post-match press conference that his initial impression matched the referee’s original call. “A me è sembrato rigore netto quando l’ho visto,” Fabregas stated, noting that experts later explained to him that Milla did not actively move his arm toward the ball. He also argued that a penalty eventually awarded to Como later in the half—converted by Da Cunha in the 43rd minute—was arguably more clear-cut.

On the opposing side, Venezia coach Davide Nicola directed his frustration specifically toward the video assistant referee setup rather than the on-field official. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Nicola maintained that Ferrieri Caputi managed the match well initially but questioned why the VAR intervened to call an on-field review for the Milla incident.

What Were the Wider Concerns Raised at Stadio Sinigaglia?

The match unfolded under the direct observation of Gianluca Orsato, who was present in the stands at Stadio Sinigaglia in his capacity as referee designator. noted that Orsato appeared visibly displeased at the final whistle following the officiating controversies.

In addition to the on-pitch disputes, the broadcast of the fixture faced criticism. During the DAZN transmission, isolated sexist remarks directed at the officiating crew—specifically regarding traditional household chores—were audible in the background sound feed, drawing widespread condemnation from the outlets covering the match.

What Are the Standings Implications Following the Result?

With the 1–0 victory secured by Da Cunha’s 43rd-minute penalty—awarded after a foul by Juan Jesus on Tasos Douvikas—Como climbed to fourth place in the Serie A table, sitting two points behind second-placed Inter. Meanwhile, Venezia remained at the bottom of the standings with three points, failing to capitalize on their strong spells of possession during the second half under the guidance of Nicola.