In a crucial Serie A matchup at the Olimpico Stadium, AC Milan`s Santiago Gimenez received a red card just 21 minutes into the game against Roma. The Mexican international was dismissed for elbowing Roma defender Gianluca Mancini in the chest.
The incident occurred when Milan was already trailing 1-0. The referee initially missed the altercation, but after a VAR review, Gimenez was shown a straight red card. This decision left the Rossoneri with ten men for the majority of the match.
The timing of this red card is particularly unfortunate for Gimenez, as it effectively ends his season. With only one round remaining in the 2024-25 Serie A campaign after this match, Gimenez will miss the final game. Moreover, he is likely to face a two-match ban for violent conduct, which would carry over to the start of the next season.
This incident has sparked controversy, especially in light of a similar situation during the recent Coppa Italia Final between Milan and Bologna. In that match, Bologna`s Sam Beukema appeared to elbow Milan`s Matteo Gabbia in the chest but faced no consequences, leading to protests from the Milan camp.
The contrasting decisions in these two incidents are likely to fuel debates in Italian football circles in the coming days. As the Serie A season approaches its climax, such pivotal moments could have significant implications for the final standings and European qualification spots.