‘Doveri pardons Lookman’ – Italian papers believe Fofana challenge could have been a red card

The Italian media this morning believe that Ademola Lookman was lucky to escape punishment for a rough challenge on Youssouf Fofana.

This morning’s Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews) has the following headline in their post-match coverage: ‘Doveri pardons Lookman: almost a red card on Fofana’. During the first half, Lookman made a very rash challenge on Fofana inside the box, which Doveri didn’t even penalise with a yellow.

According to the newspaper, the Nigerian striker’s challenge could have resulted in him being sent off: “In particular, Lookman’s challenge on Fofana, just before the goal (when you say the devil…) should have been handled differently.”

Lookman’s tackle – with his left leg lunging and exposed studs – went into Fofana and well above the ankle, which is generally regarded as the dividing line between a red and a yellow card.

A partial excuse is the fact that the Nerazzurri man didn’t apply force after that, a situation that would have led to worse consequences such as a serious injury. It could have been a red card, it was definitely a yellow card, Doveri did nothing.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen above) believe that Doveri’s performance was positive, although there are some doubts about a harsh challenge by Lookman on Fofana that nearly resulted in a red card (though he wasn’t even booked).

The paper’s assessment: “In the 29th minute, Lookman (with his studs exposed) grazed Fofana’s shin and instep: greater intensity (violently) would have led to a red card; the problem is that a deserved yellow card was missing.”

Lookman would stay on the field and, naturally, he would go on to get his first goal of the season to make it 1-1 after Samuele Ricci’s opener, earning Atalanta an eventual point.