The Serie A clash between Lazio and Juventus was dramatically altered by the sending off of Pierre Kalulu, an incident that has since become a focal point of discussion both on and off the pitch. The DAZN program “Open Var” provided rare insight into the communication between referee Davide Massa and the VAR team during the controversial moment, shedding light on how the decision was reached and why it was ultimately deemed correct.
The Incident: What Happened on the Pitch
With Juventus leading and the match finely balanced, Kalulu was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Lazio’s Valentin Castellanos. Initially, referee Massa did not consider the contact-Kalulu’s hand to Castellanos’ head-worthy of a foul or further action, stating, “I’m not calling for something like that.” Play was only stopped because Castellanos was on the ground.
The VAR Intervention
The VAR team, monitoring from Lissone, urged Massa to review the footage: “Look at it, see if he hits him. Wait a moment, check in progress. This is the dynamic from the other side, you can see the movement. I recommend an on-field review for possible violent conduct.” Upon reviewing the incident pitchside, Massa quickly changed his stance: “Absolutely yes, red card and a free kick for Lazio.”
The Official Verdict
Antonio D’Amato, head of the Italian Referees Association (AIA), commented that the decision was “a classic case of violent conduct. Kalulu strikes Castellanos on the head. The VAR review was thorough and the decision correct.”
The Impact
Kalulu’s dismissal left Juventus with ten men for the final half hour, a disadvantage that ultimately led to Lazio’s late equalizer. The red card was the second for violent conduct by a Juventus player in three games, following Kenan Yildiz’s recent suspension. Kalulu is now expected to receive a two-match ban, effectively ending his Serie A season with only two games remaining.
