Tommaso Baldanzi reveals the referee’s explanation for not giving Roma a penalty kick against Monza, while Alessandro Nesta insists that both the Giallorossi player and Giorgos Kyriakopoulos ‘looked at the ball.’
Roma were held to a 1-1 draw by Serie A strugglers Monza on Sunday, but the Giallorossi were furious in the final minutes when referee Referee La Penna rejected their penalty appeals.
Kyriakopoulos clashed with Baldanzi inside the Monza box during an aerial duel, and the U21 Italy player was convinced that it should have resulted in a penalty kick for the Giallorossi.
Baldanzi reveals why Roma penalty denied while Nesta agrees with referee
“I think the incident is clear,” Baldanzi told Sky Sport Italia.
“The referee told me that he first jumped and then stepped on my foot, but I think it was the other way around. I think it was a penalty. However, this is not my job and surely, we should have won also without this incident.”
Oddly, Monza coach Nesta, a former Lazio defender, had joked about La Penna on the eve of the game. The official is from Roma and his appointment annoyed local fans. However, Nesta said that “perhaps” La Penna supported Lazio.
Talking to Sky Sport about the penalty incident on Sunday, Nesta said: “I saw the replay, and I don’t think it was a penalty. Both players looked at the ball. It has to be noted that it has become challenging to understand every situation. There are a thousand rules. It’s complicated.
“We earned a point against the top side, which gave us some fresh air.”
