Although the overall performance was lackluster and a failure to defend a set piece resulted in Gianluca Mancini scoring the only goal, two controversial decisions ultimately influenced the outcome.
Firstly, there was contention over whether Romelu Lukaku was offside in the buildup to the corner that led to the goal. Sky replays following the game displayed inconclusive lines, but since there was no VAR review, the evidence remains inconclusive.
Le immagini di SKY sul fuorigioco di Lukaku (dicono che secondo loro era in linea anche se non ne hanno la certezza) pic.twitter.com/jWRJSpnZJm
— M4rk (@M4rkPhilips) April 11, 2024
Later in the second half, the Rossoneri appealed for a penalty kick when English striker Abraham seemed to handle the ball from a corner kick. VAR reviewed the incident and deemed it acceptable, but the images suggest otherwise, appearing quite incriminating.
🧐 Should this have been a penalty for #ACMilan? pic.twitter.com/toVr8WLxh1
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) April 11, 2024
It’s conceivable that the VAR chief interpreted Abraham’s action as an attempt to tuck his arm in. However, at the moment of contact between his arm and the ball, it does appear to be outstretched. Matteo Gabbia emphasized after the game that he believed it should have been awarded as a penalty kick.