Lazio manager Simon Inzaghi was sent to the stands by the referee after over-celebrating his team’s stoppage-time equalizer in a thrilling 1-1 draw against AC Milan in the Serie A on a cold evening at StadioOlimpico on Sunday.
The Argentine’s goal led to wild celebrations on the home bench with Inzaghi, who had cut a frustrated figure on the touchline for much of the game, being sent off for leaving his tactical area.
After being sent off, the manager refused to leave the pitch before being finally coaxed by his assistants to depart after a few minutes of protesting.
“I didn’t understand the reason for the sending off, then the referee explained that I had left the technical area”, Inzaghi said.
“I apologized, I was keen on this game and my boys were there. I was probably a little nervous and frustrated because we were losing a game we didn’t deserve to lose. Correa’s equalizer was well-deserved”.
The draw leaves Lazio in fourth place in Serie A with 23 points, one ahead of AC Milan in fifth, meaning they will qualify for the Champions League next season if things remain as they are.
Donnarumma made a world class save in the first period to deny Ciro Immobile from close range and surpassed the previous save by producing an even better one, managing to claw Lazio defender Wallace’s downward header off the line in the 71st minute.
Milan were able to hold on to their lead until they were punished by the Argentine, Joacquin Correa when he found himself unmarked in the area and made no mistake with his finish.