Atalanta have formally protested two “unjustifiable” refereeing decisions after their Coppa Italia semi-final loss to Lazio on penalties, with director Luca Percassi accusing officials of overturning a legitimate Ederson goal and failing to spot a clear foul on Lazio’s goalkeeper — incidents that, combined with Edoardo Motta’s four penalty saves, decided the tie.
Atalanta furious after Coppa Italia semi exit to Lazio on penalties
Atalanta’s Coppa Italia hopes ended in controversy as Lazio advanced to the final after a penalty shootout victory that followed a contentious disallowed goal and a string of VAR decisions. Director of sport Luca Percassi publicly labelled the call “incomprehensible,” arguing two clear errors in the same sequence robbed Atalanta of a decisive moment.
Immediate outcome: Motta’s saves seal Lazio progress
Edoardo Motta was the match-winner, saving four consecutive spot-kicks to send Lazio into the Coppa Italia Final against Inter on May 13. The shootout mask the wider debate: Atalanta had fought back twice — and believed they had taken the lead through Ederson before VAR intervened.
What happened: the disallowed Ederson goal and two alleged errors
The decisive controversy centred on Ederson’s effort, which was ruled out after VAR review. Atalanta contend there were two separate mistakes in the build-up. First, Mario Gila appeared to kick the ball onto his arm; second, Nikola Krstovic allegedly made contact with goalkeeper Edoardo Motta as the ball squirmed free, enabling Ederson’s tap-in. Percassi argued the images show Krstovic anticipating the goalkeeper and that the combination of events should not have led to the goal being invalidated.
Another goal chalked off earlier in the tie
Atalanta also saw a previous effort disallowed — Davide Zappacosta’s goal was ruled out for offside — adding to the sense of injustice. The club highlight a pattern of marginal VAR interventions that cumulatively affected the match’s trajectory.
Reaction from Atalanta: Percassi and the club’s stance
Raffaele Palladino did not address the media after the final whistle; instead, Percassi represented Atalanta’s grievance. He framed the incident as more than a single refereeing lapse, lamenting timing and use of officiating tools in “a very important game.” Percassi referenced previous painful encounters with Lazio, saying the club left with “a bitter taste” after what he called an avoidable and significant officiating mistake.
Why this matters for Atalanta
For Atalanta, the loss is both sporting and symbolic. The club were pushing for silverware and feel a key opportunity was undermined by officiating rather than outplayed on the field. Beyond immediate elimination, the episode raises questions about VAR consistency and how critical match-defining moments are reviewed — issues that can affect club morale and public trust in competition integrity.
Match context: how the game unfolded
Mario Pasalic’s strike cancelled out an early Alessio Romagnoli opener, with Atalanta twice coming from behind during the tie. Despite their resilience and sustained pressure, neither side could find a winner through extra time, sending the contest to penalties where Motta’s heroics proved decisive.
Lazio’s gain and what it means for the final
Lazio leave with momentum and a goalkeeper in red-hot form. Motta’s four consecutive saves are an outlier performance at a pivotal moment, and that confidence will be a major boost ahead of the final against Inter. For Lazio, the route to silverware has been dramatic; for Atalanta, it is a narrow and controversial exit.
Looking ahead: possible outcomes and broader implications
Atalanta could pursue formal channels to register their protest further, though overturning match results is rare. The incident will nevertheless feed into ongoing debates about VAR protocols, handball interpretation and goalkeeper protection. For competition organizers, this is another reminder that the implementation — not just the presence — of technology shapes outcomes and public perception.
Final thought
This was a tie decided by two contrasting narratives: Atalanta’s sense of injustice over officiating and Lazio’s clinical execution in the fine margins — epitomised by Motta’s penalty heroics.
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