Rocchi made good decisions, even sending me off! - Spalletti defends ref
Luciano Spalletti had no qualms over the performance of referee Gianluca Rocchi during Inter's 2-2 draw at Roma.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hqybfg3BoAVVNAZBPCXNuG.jpg)
Luciano Spalletti defended the performance of referee Gianluca Rocchi in Inter's exhilarating 2-2 draw at Roma, saying the official made several good decisions including the one to send him off.
The Nerazzurri were twice pegged back in Sunday's Serie A encounter, with Cengiz Under's stunning strike and an Aleksandar Kolarov penalty cancelling out Keita Balde Diao's effort and Mauro Icardi's thumping header.
Roma were incensed in the first half when Rocchi opted not to award a spot-kick for an apparent Danilo D'Ambrosio trip on Nicolo Zaniolo, with Roma legend Francesco Totti questioning why VAR did not spot the offence when discussing the incident after the game.
But Spalletti, who was dismissed late on for dissent, believes the official had a good game.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, he said: "We were told that if there is a 50-50 situation, it should be viewed.
"But then people complain there are too many incidents and then it drags the game on too much.
"I thought Rocchi made a lot of good decisions, including the one to send me off, as I over-reacted on the touchline.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"It was an exciting counter-attack, he interrupted it and I lost my temper. It's fair."
The spoils are shared at the Stadio Olimpico. 2-2 December 2, 2018
Inter's draw means they head into Friday's Derby d'Italia at Juventus 11 points adrift of the Serie A leaders, while Roma are seventh amid growing pressure on boss Eusebio Di Francesco.
But Spalletti feels a point each suited all parties.
"It was a very entertaining match for all watching and I think a valuable point for both teams," he added.
"It shows we are on the right track and what we need to improve on."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack