Ex Serie A Referee Details Why Correct Call To Let Marko Arnautovic Wondergoal Stand In Inter Milan 2-0 Lazio Win | OneFootball

Former Serie A referee Gianpaolo Calvarese offered his assessment of the controversial goal scored by Marko Arnautovic against Lazio.

Calvarese analyzed last night’s Coppa Italia quarter-final clash between Inter Milan and Lazio on X via FCInterNews.

Simone Inzaghi’s side claimed a precious 2-0 home victory to set up a revenge-poised semi-final tie against AC Milan.

Indeed, Marko Arnautovic and Hakan Calhanoglu netted on either side of halftime to cement Inter’s last-four berth.

However, the Austrian striker’s deadlock-breaker stirred controversy.

Despite the unquestionable brilliance of the goal, the 35-year-old’s thunderous volley raised a few eyebrows.

For starters, Denzel Dumfries tackled Nicolo Rovella without the ball, preventing him from blocking Arnautovic’s shot.

Furthermore, Stefan de Vrij stood right in front of Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas and was in an offside position.

However, referee Michael Fabbri and his assistant saw nothing wrong while VAR upheld their decision.

Gianpaolo Calvarese Offers His Verdict on Marko Arnautovic Goal in Inter Milan Win vs Lazio

Calvarese didn’t deny De Vrij’s offside position.

But he insisted the Dutch defender didn’t block Mandas’ vision.

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 19: Giampaolo Calvarese referee during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Spezia Calcio at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 19, 2021 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Therefore, there was no need for VAR to intervene.

“On Arnautovic’s goal, De Vrij appears to be offside,” he said. “However, if that’s the case, it wouldn’t be influential.

“He has no active impact on Mandas and is not in his line of sight.

“The ball follows a high trajectory, starts from a distance, and goes over the other players,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Calverese saw no reason to address the second-half penalty.

Indeed, there was nothing suspicious as Samuel Gigot tackled Joaquin Correa from the back.

Hakan Calhanoglu was ruthless from the spot to put the final nail in Lazio’s coffin.

As a result, Inter will take on AC Milan in a mouth-watering two-legged semi-final tie in April.