Red to Gaetano: sent off because he was passing by

The Atalanta players who turned off the TV at the final whistle of Roma-Atalanta on Saturday evening, disappointed by the ending, perhaps did not notice: the immediate post-match brought another bad piece of news, with the expulsion of Gianluca Gaetano. Red card at the end of the game, so suspension on the horizon: “It’s not nervousness, it’s a referee’s mistake, Gaetano said he didn’t say a word to the match official: others from the staff nearby said the same, so I can have no doubts.” Thus Maurizio Sarri.

The reconstruction

According to the reconstruction, at the final whistle, some Atalanta players approached the referee and his assistants to ask for clarifications regarding added time: 5 minutes had been awarded, then Soulè’s goal came and the match was extended until 96’ and 25’’, after Colombo had however announced a slightly longer tail. Thus Kolasinac is seen going to talk to the fourth official Collu and Zappacosta saying something to Colombo, who shuts down all protests by showing the pocket with the cards. De Ketelaere and Ianni (Sarri’s assistant) also approach the referee and shortly after Colombo himself is seen waving the red card at Gaetano, who reacts incredulously.

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Probably, while all of Atalanta was asking for explanations, the match official felt under pressure and wanted to shut down any kind of protest by showing the red card: the one who paid the price was Gaetano who was passing nearby and was not at fault, at least according to Sarri’s reconstruction. The card did not matter on Saturday, but Gaetano will miss the match as an ex against Cagliari (hoping the referee’s report does not lead to a longer suspension) and at this moment he has no real substitute. Kessie can play in front of the defense, but he is behind in condition, so Sarri might have to come up with something.

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