Why Lecce striker was sent off against Milan | OneFootball

Lecce were furious after Nikola Krstovic was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze.

The Salentini were already 2-0 down at San Siro to early goals from Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud when the incident occurred just before half-time.

A Lecce cross was pumped into the box and Krstovic had his eyes solely on the ball, but he got it completely wrong.

Instead, he caught Chukwueze – who had also jumped – in the ribs with a very high foot and it was considered serious dangerous play.

Referee Luca Massimi opted for the straight red card, as although it was clear that Krstovic had no intention of striking Chukwueze, his ‘imprudence’ was punished.

The official had a perfect view of the incident and DAZN refereeing expert Luca Marelli insisted “whether it was voluntary or not is irrelevant, because what counts is the danger to the opponent and in this case it had to be a red card.”

Chukwueze was struck in the ribs, but was able to continue the match without further treatment.

Lecce also noted that he was running and leaping towards Krstovic, which might be why the Lecce forward didn’t realise he was so close.

The laws of the game do not include any provision for voluntarily putting an opponent at risk.

“A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”