Claudio Ranieri confessed Champions League qualification may not be ‘possible’ for Roma now, however vented his fury at VAR over the penalty of their defeat to Atalanta. ‘How are you going to say no? We are actually it!’
The Giallorossi knew a victory right here would enable them to leapfrog each Juventus and Lazio into fourth place, however as an alternative they’ve , albeit nonetheless just one level behind these groups.
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Their 19-match unbeaten Serie A document was , determined by Ademola Lookman and Ibrahim Sulemana strikes, round a short lived Bryan Cristante equaliser.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 12: Bryan Cristante of AS Roma celebrates scoring his group’s first purpose with group mates in the course of the Serie A match between Atalanta and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on Might 12, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
“After tonight, I don’t know if it’s nonetheless possible for fourth place, however we’ll battle to the top, as we at all times have performed,”
Ranieri had not tasted Serie A defeat because the loss away to Como on December 15, 2024.
Ranieri rage at VAR intervention
BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 12: Referee Simone Sozza checks the pitch aspect VAR monitor in the course of the Serie A match between Atalanta and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on Might 12, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
Nevertheless, the coach had one factor solely on his thoughts and that was the second when Roma have been awarded a penalty for the Mario Pasalic problem on Manu Koné, just for it to be revoked following the VAR On-Area Evaluation as a result of it was the Giallorossi midfielder who successfully bumped into the Atalanta participant.
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“We knew Atalanta have been the masters of depth, that’s how they received the Europa League. What I wished to know out of your technical consultants is, was {that a} penalty? Was it 60-40? We have been informed VAR solely intervenes if there’s a clear and apparent error,” ranted a visibly livid Ranieri.
“We noticed that Pasalic mistimed the problem, put his foot down and caught my participant. So VAR shouldn’t have intervened. The referee awarded a penalty and it ought to’ve stayed a penalty. The principles change from one sport to the subsequent, we settle for it, however it’s disappointing to see that there isn’t any consistency on this league.
“You may clearly see that Pasalic makes contact with Manu Kone. If the referee gave the penalty, the VAR ought to’ve stayed quiet. That’s what we have been informed. After that, each groups had possibilities, Atalanta took them and we didn’t, so congratulations to Atalanta and congratulations to my gamers too.
“I’m not asking if it was or was not a penalty. I’m saying can VAR intervene when there’s contact with the knee or ankle anyway? We settle for it, however purely out of sporting justice, we wish to know what the principles are. Have they modified? We’d settle for that, with out understanding it, however at the very least tell us if the principles are modified.”
Ranieri congratulates Atalanta
BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 12: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma and Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, pose for a photograph previous to the Serie A match between Atalanta and AS Roma at Gewiss Stadium on Might 12, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
DAZN refereeing knowledgeable Luca Marelli argued there was no actual contact, as a result of Manu Kone bumped into Pasalic, and this additional angered Ranieri.
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“There was undoubtedly contact, you possibly can see it! Pasalic places his foot down firmly, he doesn’t get the ball, he does get the participant. How are you going to say no? We are actually it! Good night.”
And with that, Ranieri walked away from the DAZN interview.
The Roma coach was additionally booked by the referee after the ultimate whistle for dissent.