Allegri fumes at officials after derby defeat

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has criticised referee Paolo Valeri after his team’s 1-0 loss to Inter Milan in the Serie A on Sunday.

Allegri’s men conceded in the fourth minute as Walter Samuel scored and were unable to find an equaliser despite playing with a man advantage for the best part of the second half.

Yuto Nagatomo was sent off in the 48th minute and Inter held on for an important three points.

Allegri has put much of the blame for his side’s fourth loss of the season on the shoulders of Valeri, who he believes made many mistakes on incidents that were ‘really obvious’.

“I never talk about referees. But, I have to now. The referee got it wrong in this game,” Allegri told reporters.

“In the first half he made a technical error. He blew the whistle for half-time 12 seconds early. Then there was a last-man foul on (Urby) Emanuelson which was given against him.

“There was maybe a penalty on Robinho. The Nagatomo red card was obvious as he couldn’t give him another yellow for that.

“This is not an excuse and perhaps today the referee was unlucky, but the incidents were really obvious.”

Allegri also expressed his disbelief as to how Riccardo Montolivo’s goal was disallowed for an apparent foul on Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

“I have no idea what the referee whistled for on the Montolivo goal,” he said.

“Let’s just say he was unlucky on the decisive incidents, as the goal would’ve been crucial. There was also a penalty and Samuel was last man too.

“It’s not as if the referee did us a favour with Nagatomo’s red card, as he obviously stuck his arm out for an intentional handling offence.

“It’s a shame we are running into some decisions that go against us, but we can’t do anything about that. Maybe referees are on as bad form as we are.”

Inter counterpart Andrea Stramaccioni refused to get draw into commenting on the refereeing and instead preferred to focus on the progress his side are making.

“You know I’m not saying this because we won the match, but I think it’s pointless to talk about the referee and judge his performance. That’s my opinion and I respect Allegri’s words,” he said.

“I think that for a new project like ours there are still things we need to improve after seven games played.

“We are perfectly aware of that, there’s still a long way to go, but the main positive aspect after tonight is that I see a growth in the solidity of the team.

“I feel that the team are playing for each other. If we consider the recent performances against Siena or Roma, or other Europa League home matches, we always had the feeling that to create a chance to score against us was easy.”