Don't mention the VAR: Arkadiusz Milik's final few minutes at the weekend are the epitome of ridiculousness
(Image credit: Massimiliano Ferraro/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
VAR has plenty of critics – well, add Arkadiusz Milik of Juventus to that list, now.
The last few minutes of the Old Lady's trip to Salernitana in Serie A at the weekend were marred by a bizarre series of events with Polish poacher Milik at the centre of the drama. The Video Assistant Referee were asked to step in to deal with what the forward thought was to be the winning goal… only for things to go horribly wrong.
If you think the Premier League is farcical, Italian football is apparently far, far worse.
VAR, Arkadiusz Milik, a goal and a red card
A dramatic ending between Juventus and Salernitana.Arkadiusz Milik thought he had scored a 96th-minute winner for the Old Lady, having come from 2-0 down to win 3-2...But the goal was ruled out through VAR and Milik was given a second yellow card for taking his shirt off. pic.twitter.com/Zvny3aTMInSeptember 11, 2022
Massimiliano Allegri has not recaptured the magic that he inspired Juve with in his first spell – but this weekend, even Big Max must have thought his luck would change.
The Turin-based giants were 2-0 down to lowly Salernitana when new defender Gleison Bremer pulled one back, followed by, errr, old defender Leonardo Bonucci levelling. Juventus kept probing – and six minutes into injury time, Milik found the eureka moment, heading in a corner.
The former Marseille striker celebrated by removing his shirt and was booked for the celebration… only it was his second yellow card. Milik accepted his punishment, trudged off and then came the real sucker-punch: his goal was ruled out for offside, with Bonucci straying beyond the defensive line and moving towards the ball. Gutting.
Milik snatcher: Juve thought they had the points in the bag (Image credit: Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
Milik's red card remained – similarly to Richarlison's booking against Fulham in the Premier League recently. He still celebrated the goal, didn't he?
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But when a second angle was shown of the disallowed goal after the match, it was clear that Bonucci was being played onside by a defender and that the winner should have counted. The red card for Milik only highlighted the gaffe from the officials – before all hell broke loose again.
Juan Cuadrado and Federico Fazio both saw red, too, with both sets of players confronting one another. Allegri was sent off as well for his part in complaining about the decision, with all four now heading for suspensions.
Oh, VAR.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
