“For me the referee did very well, I didn’t understand what happened after,” Davide Nicola said after Venezia’s fixture against Como.

Como secured a 1-0 victory over Venezia thanks to a decisive goal by Da Cunha, pushing the Lariani into the Champions League zone and within two points of Inter ahead of their next league meeting.

The 28th-Minute Penalty Incident Involving Milla and Busio

The flashpoint occurred at the 28-minute mark while the score was tied at 0-0. Venezia midfielder Tanner Busio attempted to play the ball in the penalty area when Como player Milla made contact with his arm. Ferrieri Caputi immediately blew her whistle and signaled for a penalty kick. After a lengthy review process at the pitchside monitor, the referee overturned her initial ruling and decided that no foul had been committed by the Como defender.

Replays and post-match analysis on DAZN by former referee Luca Marelli highlighted the controversial nature of the decision. Marelli described the VAR intervention and the subsequent revocation as inexplicable, noting that under current rules, the concept of intentionality no longer applies to such arm movements inside the penalty area when the limb is away from the body.

VAR Protocol and on-Field Review Disagreement

The Video Assistant Referee protocol permits intervention only in cases of clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents. Because Ferrieri Caputi held an optimal viewing position on the pitch and evaluated the play directly, her judgment should have stood unless clear, indisputable video evidence proved otherwise. Analysts argued that the monitor review violated established protocol since the footage did not offer an objective contradiction to her initial whistle.

Davide Nicola Demands Answers From the AIA

Venezia coach Davide Nicola expressed clear frustration over the incident during his post-match press conference, pointing the finger directly at the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA). Nicola stated that the referee had made the correct initial call and questioned why the sequence was altered after the fact.

“For me the referee did very well, I didn’t understand what happened after. But the AIA must answer for this, not me… because I only know that we had the opportunity to take the lead,” Nicola said. He added that his team had endured two dubious officiating situations within a three-day span.

Da Cunha Goal Lifts Como Toward Inter Milan Clash

Da Cunha’s subsequent goal settled the contest, lifting Como higher up the Serie A table into continental qualification territory. The Lariani now prepare to face reigning champions Inter Milan sitting just two points behind them in the standings, while Venezia must regroup ahead of their upcoming fixtures to address points dropped during contested matches.