Coppa Italia Inter-Milan: Mariani referee also in the second leg

Maurizio Mariani of the Aprilia section will direct the second leg of the Italian Cup between Inter and Milan, just like in the first leg. An unprecedented case: since the final phase of the competition has this format, that is with only the semifinals to be played with double confrontation, it had never happened. In the 2008-09 edition this formula was introduced and the trend in The Hague has always been to propose five different referees for the final matches of the tournament. Only twice has the same referee been selected for a semifinal (return in both cases) and then also for the final. Rizzoli refereed Fiorentina-Inter and then the final between the Nerazzurri and Roma in 2010; Orsato did the same in 2015, first chosen for Napoli-Lazio and for the match between the Biancocelesti and Juventus.

The other challenge

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Daniele Doveri of Roma 1 will instead direct the other semifinal of this year between Allegri’s team and Fiorentina, while the first leg was entrusted to Guida. It could happen again this year to see the same referee also in the closing match (Duties?), Unless Orsato is designated again for what would be his fourth final of the Italian Cup, after those of the three-year period 2013-15. In any case, it is not new that the race director himself is indicated for the double challenge, especially for a final. In fact, from 1981 to 2007 there were home and away matches also for the final act of the competition and twice it happened that the same person was responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules on the pitch. In 1984 Paolo Casarin directed the two matches between Rome and Verona, while in 1990 Pietro D’Elia refereed the two matches between Juventus and Milan.