Genoa-Milan VAR review: Marcandalli yellow card in doubt, Massa's difficult performance

Referee Massa awarded a yellow card to Marcandalli for a challenge on Rabiot that Milan argued warranted a red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Genoa-Milan was a contentious match for referee Massa, who struggled with consistency and made several questionable decisions. The game ended with four red cards from the benches—one from Genoa's goalkeeping coach Scarpi and three from Milan (doctor Mazzoni and assistants Ferro and Negri)—plus six yellows and 27 fouls overall. Massa received a rating of 5.

The key controversy involved Marcandalli's challenge on Rabiot. The Milan midfielder had clear space to run toward goal when Marcandalli brought him down, and Milan demanded a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO). Rabiot had the field completely open with the nearest Genoa defender well behind him; only Cissè was on the same line with equal space.

Massa issued only a yellow, apparently weighing the distance from goal—the foul occurred in Milan's half.

On Genoa's side, Rabiot was not penalized for a challenge on Baldanzi inside the Milan penalty area, a decision Massa let stand despite it being marginal. A potential foul by de Winter on Ehizibue was not called because Ehizibue was in an offside position. A goal by Osmajic was correctly disallowed as Vitinha was in an offside position when he headed the ball.