The Coppa Italia match between Inter and Lazio on February 25, 2024, provided both drama and controversy as Inter emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, securing their spot in the semifinals. The clash, held at the iconic San Siro stadium, was directed by referee Michael Fabbri, who, along with VAR assistance, faced scrutiny over key decisions throughout the match.
Fabbri, who hails from Faenza and has been officiated at the international level since 2019, had previously garnered trust from the Italian Football Association. This season alone, he had officiated 13 matches across Serie A and B, collecting 57 yellow and red cards, averaging 4.3 cards per game. Yet, the refereeing during this match would spark debate among fans and experts alike.
Right from the 14th minute, Fabbri made his first significant call, booking Inter's Kristjan Асllani for a late tackle on Lazio's Zaccagni. This yellow card would later prove costly, as Асllani, who was already on the brink of suspension, will now miss the upcoming semifinal against Milan, should Inter advance.
The first half concluded controversially, with Arnautovic scoring for Inter at the 39th minute. Allegations arose surrounding this goal, as replays suggested De Vrij, who was positioned offside, may have obstructed the view of Lazio's goalkeeper, Mandas. Commentator Graziano Cesari analyzed the situation post-match, insisting the VAR should have intervened, stating, “The sensation I have is they didn’t even notice it. The goal is beautiful, and perhaps because of this, the VAR did not intervene.”
On the counter, Lazio’s attempts at finding the back of the net were thwarted. Despite multiple opportunities and controlling ball possession, they could not break through Inter’s solid defense. Just before the halftime whistle, Lazio's frustration grew when Fabbri opted not to show cards for what they deemed clear fouls against them.
Going to the second half, the match's tension escalated. At the 75th minute, Inter was awarded a penalty as Correa was felled clumsily by Lazio's Gigot. Fabbri’s decision was clear-cut, and VAR confirmed the call. The resulting penalty was successfully converted by Hakan Calhanoglu, pushing Inter’s lead to 2-0. Fabbri would continue to issue cards as the match drew to its conclusion, with Ibrahimović and Dumfries being booked for separate foul plays as both teams pressed for control.
Reflecting on the match, Cesari said the penalty awarded was indisputable, crediting Correa for his intelligence to draw the foul and emphasizing Fabbri's correctness: “There’s no doubt, Correa did well to shield and Gigot booted him, it’s the kind of penalty you expect to see.”
While the victory adds another feather to Inter’s cap and their pursuit of the Coppa Italia, Lazio’s elimination adds to their string of misfortunes. Critics argue the decisions made by Fabbri and the VAR have overshadowed Inter's performance on the field. The opinion remains mixed on Fabbri’s officiation, with some defending his performance and others questioning the effectiveness of VAR interventions during pivotal moments.
An interesting fact from the match is Fabbri’s officiation history with both clubs. Prior to this match, he had refereed Lazio 15 times, yielding 11 wins for the Biancocelesti, one draw, and three losses. Conversely, Inter had seen him award them victories nine times out of twelve previous encounters. These statistics reveal Fabbri's favorable bias, at least historically, toward Lazio.
Post-match analysis has revealed there are lessons to be learned for officiates and clubs alike. Lazio’s coach and players voiced their concerns about the officiation inconsistency, citing the goal and the little recourse through VAR as setbacks. Questions loom: Can officiation improve? And how will both teams adjust as they move through this competitive season?
With consistent fan engagement and heightened scrutiny surrounding match officiation, the debate over Fabbri’s performance will likely continue. This match, providing spectacle and excitement, also serves as yet another reminder of the fine line between ensuring fair play and provoking controversy.
Now, Inter sets their sight on the next round, with renewed determination, pride, and perhaps, the hope of polishing their gameplay to secure not just victories, but clean contests free of contentious moments.