The Derby d'Italia between Inter Milan and Juventus remains one of the most controversial matches in football, often transcending mere sporting results to become a matter of public debate that can last for years. A prime example is the April 2018 clash between the two sides, marred by a blatant refereeing error that cast a shadow over the entire Serie A title race and reignited the historic rivalry between the two clubs.
General context: A deep-rooted animosity fueled by Calciopoli
To understand the scale of the controversy, it's necessary to delve into the roots of the modern rivalry between the two clubs. While their competition is longstanding, it reached its peak after the Calciopoli scandal in 2006, which resulted in Juventus being stripped of two league titles, one of which (the 2005-2006 title) being awarded to Inter. Juventus fans considered this decision a theft of their history, while Inter supporters viewed it as justice. Since then, every match between them has become a symbolic battle, and refereeing errors, especially those favoring Juventus, are met with widespread accusations and suspicions.
The details of the incident: Pjanic's shot that changed everything
In the crucial match held at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium as part of the 35th round of the 2017-2018 season, the battle was fierce. Juventus was fiercely competing with Napoli for the Scudetto, while Inter was fighting for a Champions League spot. During the match, Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who was already on a yellow card, committed a clear and reckless tackle on Inter's Rafinha. Analysts and experts agreed that the tackle warranted a second yellow card and therefore the Bosnian player's dismissal. However, the referee, Daniele Orsato, one of the most prominent referees in Italy, refrained from showing the card, allowing Juventus to finish the match with a full complement of players. In the final minutes, Juventus managed to overturn their deficit into a dramatic 3-2 victory, securing three points that dealt a fatal blow to Napoli's title hopes.
Importance and impact: A title decided by a controversial decision
The impact of this decision wasn't limited to the local league; it extended to determining the Italian champion. Juventus' dramatic victory, secured thanks to Pjanic remaining on the pitch, psychologically affected Napoli, who lost their next match, widening the gap and clinching the title for Juventus. The incident sparked outrage in the Italian media, and the "Pjanic-Rafinha" incident became a symbol of perceived refereeing injustice in the eyes of Inter and Napoli fans. Years later, referee Daniele Orsato admitted in a television interview that his decision was wrong and that he should have handled the situation better—an admission that reopened old wounds and validated the criticisms leveled against him at the time. To this day, this match remains a dark stain on the history of modern Italian refereeing, a stark reminder that some mistakes in football can be more valuable than just three points.
