
OneFootball
Brendan Doherty·30 December 2018
Massimiliano Allegri praises officials after VAR helps Juventus win

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Brendan Doherty·30 December 2018
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri praised his star forward and also had positive words for the referee after his side’s 2-1 win on Saturday.
Cristiano Ronaldo brought his season total to 14 in Serie A though the match was arguably dominated by the officiating decisions and the drama surrounding them.
The Portuguese international forward gave the home team the lead in just the second minute before Fabio Quagliarella equalised from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute. Ronaldo then scored his own spot-kick to restore the lead in the 65th minute at the Alliaz Stadium.
On both incidents, referee Paolo Valeri consulted the VAR monitor before awarding the kicks. Valeri used VAR once again in stoppage time to rule out a wonderful strike for offside.
Allegri described Ronaldo as “the best player in the world” to the club’s website after the match. “It was important to end the year on a high and it wasn’t at all easy.”
“We had our chances against a good side, but we lost our way after their penalty.” Allegri credited Sampdoria for building into the match through the first half.
“In the second half we restored our lead after several opportunities and almost conceded another at the end but thankfully it was offside.”
“It’s right to use VAR when it’s considered appropriate to do so. Valeri officiated well and he was helped by technology.”
Despite finishing with three points, Juventus suffered nervy moments at the end of the match.
“We played well but we were winning 2-1 at the and all we had to do was keep the ball without forcing anything. Instead we get caught on the counter too many times after losing possession. We shouldn’t be making mistakes like that.”
While Allegri clearly approved the decisions that went in his team’s favor, his counterpart showered less praise on the officiating.
Sampdoria manager Marco Giampaolo told his club’s website, “The team would have deserved a draw today, morally for me it’s 2-2. And this I will tell my boys.”
“For me the penalty given to Juventus is a gift. You can only give it if you’ve never played football, if you’re a bureaucrat. Otherwise you never give it in life.”