Inter Milan Faces a Familiar 'Nemesis' Ahead of Milan Derby: Controversial Referee Once Broke Inzaghi's Composure

As the Milan Derby approaches, the narrative surrounding the match is already heating up, but not just for the action on the field. While Inter Milan had been receiving positive news in the lead-up to the game, with the return of key players like Federico Dimarco to training, AC Milan has been dealing with a relatively subdued atmosphere, highlighted by a low attendance during their Champions League clash with Liverpool. However, the biggest pre-match twist came with the appointment of referee Maurizio Mariani, a figure with a checkered history for Inter, which has now raised concerns within the club.

Pre-Derby Excitement and Concerns

Heading into the much-anticipated Derby della Madonnina, Inter Milan appeared to be in a favorable position. Their squad was slowly recovering from injuries, with Dimarco’s return particularly noteworthy, leading some media outlets like Sky Italia to speculate that he could even start the match. The team had been in solid form and their roster, including stars like Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Barella, seemed to be in prime condition for the high-stakes encounter.

On the other hand, AC Milan had less to celebrate. The Rossoneri’s recent home game against Liverpool in the Champions League saw a disappointing attendance of just under 60,000 fans at San Siro. This was an unusual sight, as it had been nearly three years since a crowd of fewer than 60,000 attended a Milan home game, with the last occurrence being in February 2020, when COVID-19 was just beginning to make an impact.

The low turnout hinted at growing dissatisfaction among Milan supporters regarding the team's recent performances. The tension in the stands could potentially spill over into the derby, with La Gazzetta dello Sport warning that the Curva Sud, the heart of Milan’s ultras, might stage a protest if the match does not go in the Rossoneri’s favor. With so much at stake, both teams are under intense pressure.

However, the plot thickened when it was announced that Maurizio Mariani, a referee with a controversial past, would take charge of the match. This news has added an additional layer of intrigue to what is already one of the most intense rivalries in European football.

Mariani's History with Inter Milan: A Troubling Legacy

Mariani’s appointment as referee immediately set off alarm bells for Inter Milan. At 42 years old, he is one of Serie A’s most experienced and high-profile officials, but his name is still linked to a deeply contentious episode in Inter’s recent history. The infamous incident occurred during the 2021 Italian Derby d’Italia, in which Inter was leading Juventus thanks to a goal from Edin Džeko. In the dying moments of the game, Mariani awarded a controversial penalty to Juventus, which Paulo Dybala converted, robbing Inter of a crucial victory.

The penalty itself was widely debated, with many arguing over whether the incident occurred inside the penalty area and whether it warranted a last-minute spot-kick at all. What made matters worse was Mariani’s decision-making, which incensed Inter coach Simone Inzaghi. Normally composed and mild-mannered, Inzaghi lost his cool on the sidelines, vehemently protesting the decision, which resulted in Mariani showing him a red card and sending him off. The aftermath saw Inter Milan filing an appeal against the decision, which became a significant point of controversy in Italian football.

Because of that fateful night, Mariani has never been a popular figure among Inter fans or within the club. His appointment for the upcoming derby has revived those old wounds, leading to a wave of concern. His record when officiating Inter matches has only added to the unease.

A Closer Look at Mariani’s Officiating Record

To fully grasp why Mariani’s appointment has sparked such anxiety among Inter supporters, it’s essential to delve into his track record. Over his career, Mariani has officiated 152 Serie A matches, issuing 702 yellow cards, 30 red cards, and 51 penalties. These numbers suggest that he generally allows for a physical style of play, preferring not to interrupt the game unless absolutely necessary. His tendency to avoid calling penalties is particularly noteworthy.

However, when examining his specific history with Inter Milan, certain patterns emerge. Mariani has refereed 15 Inter matches in total, during which he awarded just one penalty to the Nerazzurri while giving their opponents four penalties. Inter’s win rate in those matches is a less-than-impressive 53%, with the team recording 8 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses under Mariani’s supervision. To make matters worse, nine Inter players have had to leave the pitch due to injuries in those games, yet Mariani has only shown two red cards across all these matches – one of them being the red card shown to Inzaghi during that infamous clash with Juventus.

On the other side of the city, Mariani’s record with AC Milan is notably more favorable. He has officiated 22 of their matches, during which he awarded the Rossoneri a remarkable eight penalties, the highest number he has given to any Serie A team, with Napoli being the second on the list with six. Furthermore, AC Milan’s opponents have seen six red cards in matches officiated by Mariani, which again adds to the perception that he tends to favor the Rossoneri.

Social media has not been kind to Mariani in the buildup to the derby, with many Inter fans labeling him as AC Milan’s “good luck charm” due to his frequent penalty decisions in their favor. Given this history, the appointment of Mariani for such a high-stakes derby has inevitably raised suspicions among the Inter faithful.

Mariani’s Impact in Previous Milan Derbies

Mariani is no stranger to the Derby della Madonnina, having officiated two previous Milan derbies in Serie A. One of these was during the 2020-21 season, a match that AC Milan won 2-1. In that contest, Milan took a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes, and the opening goal came from a penalty, which Zlatan Ibrahimović calmly converted. The early penalty call and Milan’s subsequent win further entrenched the narrative that Mariani’s decisions have historically benefited the Rossoneri in derby encounters.

Additionally, Mariani’s performance in the 2021 Derby d’Italia looms large in the memory of Inter fans, casting a shadow over his impartiality. With these incidents in mind, it’s understandable why Inter Milan is approaching the upcoming derby with a degree of trepidation regarding Mariani’s involvement.

An Evolving Role: From Referee to VAR Official

While Mariani’s history with Inter Milan is far from rosy, there is one aspect that offers a silver lining for the Nerazzurri. In recent years, Mariani has shifted from a primary referee role to handling more matches as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) due to a serious leg injury. His performances in the VAR room have yielded more positive results for Inter.

In fact, when Mariani has operated as the VAR official, Inter Milan has enjoyed a much higher success rate. He has worked as VAR in 13 of their matches, with Inter winning 11 of those encounters. Notably, last season, Mariani was the VAR for five of Inter’s matches, including their 3-0 victory over Napoli, their 4-0 triumph over Lecce, and their 2-1 derby victory over AC Milan. His role in these games has led to more favorable outcomes for the Nerazzurri, which could provide a small sense of reassurance going into this match.

The Fine Margins of Derby Games

In fiercely contested derbies like the Milan Derby, even the smallest details can tip the balance. Mariani’s appointment as referee is undoubtedly a cause for concern for Inter Milan, and the shifts in betting odds following the announcement reflect this. However, as Sky Italia has pointed out, both teams and their managers must account for all potential variables in the lead-up to the match.

In recent Milan derbies, unexpected incidents have played a pivotal role in the outcome. The last encounter saw three red cards, and in the two derbies before that, Inter players suffered injuries following tough challenges from Milan players. These incidents underscore the unpredictable nature of derby matches.