Roma‘s 3-2 Champions League defeat to Manchester United has sparked strong criticism from Italian media directed at Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano, with several key decisions during the match coming under intense scrutiny.
Controversial Penalty Decision
A primary point of contention for Italian sports publications was a penalty awarded to Manchester United, which was widely described as ‘very soft’. The incident unfolded when Matheus Cunha’s left foot made contact with Gianluca Mancini’s right knee inside Roma’s penalty area. While the referee penalised the Italian defender for what was perceived as negligence, some Italian newspapers offered an alternative perspective, arguing that Cunha had lifted his foot, initiating the contact with Mancini’s knee, making the decision highly debatable.
Adding to the controversy, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes initially missed the resulting spot-kick. However, the referee ordered a retake after Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante was found to have encroached into the penalty area. Reports indicated that Cristante’s foot was only marginally over the line when Fernandes first struck the ball. Despite the minimal nature of the encroachment, it was deemed sufficient for the retake, which Fernandes subsequently converted.
Maguire’s Potential Second Yellow Card
Another significant incident that drew criticism involved Manchester United defender Harry Maguire. Already on a yellow card, Maguire was deemed by Italian sports papers to have deserved a second yellow for a foul on Roma’s Santiago Castro. The English defender was reported to have deliberately brought Castro to the ground, with Corriere dello Sport specifically suggesting this action warranted a second booking for unsporting behaviour, which would have resulted in his dismissal.
Widespread Media Condemnation
The overall sentiment from Italian sports media was overwhelmingly negative regarding Gil Manzano’s performance. Leading publications such as Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, and Gazzetta dello Sport collectively rated the Spanish referee’s display as 4/10. Gazzetta dello Sport, in particular, stated that Manzano ‘got everything wrong’ during the second half of the Champions League encounter, reflecting the widespread dissatisfaction with his officiating and the perceived impact on the game’s outcome.