Atalanta chief executive officer Luca Percassi voiced strong frustration over the refereeing decisions in the league clash against Inter, arguing that a goal by the Bergamaschi should have stood and pointing to Alexei Miranchuk as the central figure involved. The remarks were attributed to Percassi through Football Italia, underscoring the club’s view that the officiating altered the course of a significant encounter.
According to Percassi, the officiating team appeared to overlook an obvious moment that could have changed the momentum of the game. He contends that Miranchuk did not commit a handball and that a collision with Bastoni did not merit a penalty, noting that Bastoni touched the ball and did not adjust his direction toward Miranchuk in a way that would justify a foul. Percassi stressed that the sequence deserved closer scrutiny and that the appropriate decision should have gone in Atalanta’s favor, suggesting that the call was influenced by factors beyond the standard broadcast view.
The February 28 fixture ended with Inter triumphing 4-0, and early on the match the referee disallowed a goal from Charles De Ketelare. The officiating team ruled the ball had struck Miranchuk’s hand, a decision percieved by Atalanta’s camp as a pivotal turning point within the first half. In the same period, Matteo Darmian, Lautaro Martinez, Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi contributed to the eventual scoreline for the visitors, sealing a commanding result while prompting questions about the officiating that followed.
Miranchuk’s journey in Italian football stretches back to September 2020, when he joined Atalanta after transferring from Lokomotiv Moscow. His current contract with the Bergamo club is set to expire in June 2025, a timing that has drawn attention from supporters and observers as the window for renewal or potential moves approaches. The midfielder has been a regular contributor in the squad, adding depth to the creative midfield and providing a blend of technical ability and experience gained in different leagues.
Over the course of the season, Miranchuk has appeared in 23 matches across all competitions for Atalanta, accumulating three goals alongside seven assists. His performances have been characterized by his willingness to link play, thread passes through compact lines, and provide service from wide areas when needed. This level of involvement signals a continued importance to the squad as it pursues its goals in domestic competition and European contests, with his form a barometer for the team’s attacking dynamics during spells of pressure or transition.
There has been prior critique surrounding Miranchuk’s influence within Italian football circles, a dialogue that reflects the broader debates about how players adapt to Serie A’s tactical demands and how refereeing decisions affect narrative arcs in league campaigns. The discussions surrounding his impact also touch on the balance between on-field performance and the interpretations of officials, shaping perceptions among fans and pundits alike and contributing to ongoing conversations about fairness, accountability, and the integrity of the sport within the Italian system [citation for context].