After two draws against Milan and Torino, Atalanta continues to search for victory. Today, Gian Piero Gasperini's side lost in Florence to Fiorentina by a score of 2-0; they have not won since Matchday 1 against Frosinone. However, this is a very controversial victory for Stefano Pioli's men, as there was a moment that decided the match - a moment where Federico Chiesa dove inside the box when he was next to Rafael Toloi which lead to a penalty being granted by referee Valeri. This chance was converted and Fiorentina secured victory.
Still furious with the decision, here are Gasperini's words surrounding the match: "The match was affected by the episode of a penalty, on which Fiorentina built victory. It is too bad because we had a good game and we gave our best for the full 90'. Quarrel with Pioli? I'm sorry, in saying goodbye I told him that the penalty today was not a penalty, as well as the one they wanted last matchday at the San Siro. If the penalty given to Chiesa today was compensatory for what happened with Inter? I hope not, it would be inconceivable. It is clearly a simulation. Chiesa is an excellent player, the best talent of our national team. However, he should be punished for making him understand that he can not continue to play like this. It is an episode of a football many years ago where there were no Var and cameras. The technological improvements mean that they can show the image and video in the best possible way. But in the end it is the judgment of the referee that counts and from that, one does not escape".
Luca Percassi spoke as well to the Sky Sport microphones: "Today is the minimum to be able to intervene, the episode was a very serious one. The referees can make mistakes and so far we have never commented on them. After today, however, you can not shut up - he stressed - because these are episodes that leave a bitter taste in the mouth for how the game went. I do not understand why we did not have the time to go and consult the Var for an episode that was, to say the least, evident. I am also sorry that this happens in a week where Fiorentina protested the penalty call at the San Siro. We fought for this instrument to be introduced, but if it is not used we do not know what to do".
