The fierce rivalry between Inter Milan and Juventus intensified on Saturday night following a thrilling Serie A clash.

Inter clinched a 3-2 victory, with Piotr Zielinski netting a decisive goal during stoppage time against a Juventus side reduced to ten players.

Juventus found themselves a man down early on when Pierre Kalulu received two controversial yellow cards, much to the delight of Inter players. The second card came after a challenge on Alessandro Bastoni.

As the teams headed to the locker rooms at halftime, Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, along with directors Damien Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini, expressed their frustration to referee Federico La Penna over Kalulu’s dismissal in a heated exchange.

The scene was chaotic, with the trio animatedly confronting La Penna. Spalletti was seen pushing Comolli away, while goalkeeper Mattia Perin attempted to calm his manager.

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti (left) was livid with referee Federico La Penna (right) at half-time after he controversially sent off Pierre Kalulu during their 3-2 loss at Inter Milan

Damien Comolli (centre) had to be restrained as the Juventus director vented towards La Penna

Kalulu tries to plead his innocence after being controversially sent off on Saturday night

Their dissatisfaction was so intense that Spalletti abstained from post-match media duties, leaving Comolli and Chiellini to voice their grievances.

‘We cannot talk about football after what happened today,’ an incensed Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia.

‘Something completely unacceptable happened today, it doesn’t matter whether it happens to us or someone else, and from tomorrow presumably VAR will have to change, because this is not acceptable that so many errors keep happening even in big games like this.

‘We’ve been trying to say since the start of the season that the level of refereeing is not up to the task, and this unfortunately is the spectacle we showed to the rest of the world today. It happened too many teams this season, we have to change, we cannot keep procrastinating the way we always do in Italian football.’

During his dismissal, Kalulu made a VAR signal – something that can not be done as it was a second yellow card offence. There have already been reports that the IFAB will seek to change this rule at their next annual assembly at the end of February. 

And VAR’s non-involvement angered Chiellini who continued: ‘It has been since the start of the season that many clubs have been complaining the infrastructure is just not at the level of Serie A. 

‘I don’t know if they’re not trained properly, not up to the task, whatever the reason for it, the fact is the referees are not up to the standard of Serie A football.’ 

The former Juve defender then took aim at Italian referee chief Gianluca Rocchi – questioning his position.

Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini hit out at La Penna during a fiery post-match conference

‘If you want to make it clear, it is obvious that the group of referees are not working, so if Rocchi keeps saying he’ll go, then we’ll see now if he does go,’ he continued.

‘Last week [Genoa boss Danielle] De Rossi complained, before that [Roma boss Gian Piero] Gasperini and [Napoli boss Antonio] Conte, so we are not the first and not the last. Something clearly isn’t working and one of the first things we can do is change the protocol.

‘Look, it’s disappointing, the referees are just like players and coaches, but it is obvious La Penna was not up to this game.’

Comolli echoed Chiellini’s sentiments telling Sky Sports Italia that the situation is ’embarrassing’.

‘Obviously, as a club we feel today is an embarrassing,’ he said. ‘It’s embarrassing what happened today, and we feel strongly as a club from the ownership, to the fans, to the players, to the coach, it cannot happen again. 

‘It’s been happening again and again, again and again, tonight was the summary of what we’ve seen this season.

‘For a game like this, with the whole world watching, it’s just embarrassing.’

Comolli also revealed that nobody had spoken to La Penna post-match. 

‘No, we have not spoken to La Penna after the game,’ he confirmed. ‘It is very difficult to accept injustice like this, very difficult. We have to say something. We spoke to Luciano, Francois and Giorgio. I didn’t speak to the players, I just told them well done, they fought very well, but I don’t think we can talk about football tonight.

‘The coach is extremely frustrated and disappointed, it’s totally unacceptable.’

Speaking on Sunday, Rocchi apologised for Kalulu’s sending off – admitting that La Penna got it wrong.

‘We are very sorry about the incident: For La Penna’s decision, which was clearly wrong, and for the fact that we could not use VAR to remedy it,’ he told ANSA.

‘La Penna is mortified and we are close to him, but I have to tell you the truth that he is not the only one who made a mistake: because yesterday there was a clear simulation.’ 

As for the match itself, Zielinski’s winner helped Inter stay eight points ahead of second-placed AC Milan on Saturday.

Piotr Zielinski’s second-half stoppage time strike saw Inter claim a tense 3-2 win over Juve

Juventus twice came from behind and overcame a red card but finally capitulated in the 90th when Zielinski drove in a low shot after being set up by Yann Bisseck near the penalty area.

The defeat dropped Juve one place to fifth behind Roma, who has a better goal difference and can move into third spot if they win at defending champions Napoli on Sunday.

Juventus left back Andrea Cambiaso scored at both ends in the first half.

He inadvertently deflected Luis Henrique’s cross past his goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio in the 17th minute, then latched on to a right-wing cross from American midfielder Weston McKennie in the 26th.

Juve’s chances were hampered when defender Kalulu was sent off for fouling Bastoni, who moments earlier had missed a golden chance from close range.

Inter regained the lead in the 76th minute when forward Pio Esposito headed in powerfully from Federico Dimarco’s left-wing cross. Manuel Locatelli equalised from another McKennie cross in the 83rd to ensure a tense finish before Zielinski sent the hosts into pandemonium.