Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Saturday, January 10, 2026, 3:57 p.m. / Updated Saturday, January 10, 2026, 3:58 p.m.
Nicolae Stanciu (32 years old) was defended immediately after missing the penalty, which could have brought victory to Genoa on Thursday, in the match against Milan at San Siro. Today, coach Daniele De Rossi is back and blames the referee and the Rossoneri players for taking the last-gasp penalty too late: “Inadmissible. We are not the village fools.”
Nicolae Stanciu could be the hero of Genoa on Thursday, but he turned into a character insulted by the rossoblu supporters, after he shot the ball well over the goal from the penalty spot. Which, before the execution, Strahinja Pavlovic took care to damage.
Daniele De Rossi: “I told the referee. He replied that he warned Pavlovic, but for me it is not enough”
The griffon missed the chance to bring three points to San Siro, just as the Romanian midfielder missed the opportunity to score the first goal in Serie A! Daniele De Rossi made a nice gesture towards the captain of the Romanian national team and then defended him at the press conference.
Nicolae Stanciu/ photo: Imago Images
He's a wonderful boy and I'm really sorry he couldn't enjoy that moment. Stanciu hasn't played much, but he trains better than anyone else
– Daniel De RossiGenoa's coach
“It was my decision. Seeing the other players on the pitch, I think it was an understandable choice, but mistakes happen in football. He has tremendous qualities and never lost his professionalism. He deserved that joy, just like we all deserved it for the game we played.” said the Italian technician.
At the meeting with the press before the game with Cagliari (scheduled for Monday evening, Luigi Ferraris), De Rossi revolted against those from Milan and Maurizio Mariani: “I told the referee. He replied that he warned him (no – Pavlovic), but for me it is not enough.
“We are not the village fools and must command respect”
In my opinion, you cannot take a penalty three minutes and 50 seconds after you have whistled and confirmed the VAR. He had to remove the players from the box. I missed penalties too, I ran a similar one in Manchester and there was no hole in the turf. Penalties are missed”.
I didn't like the attitude. The Milan player told me he wanted to win, I can understand that. Even so, given the status of the player and the status of the jersey, you would expect different behaviour
– Daniel De RossiGenoa's coach
Strahinja Pavlovic, Milan's left back, spoiled the turf in the penalty area from 11 meters / photo: TikTok vigno27 capture
The Genoa coach recalled his time on the pitch: “I too had the wrong attitude as a player, although a little different. I was more instinctive, it's a bit more calculated and dirty here, if you like. We're talking about big players and a big club.
If there are problems at home, I ask my wife what happened. There's a boss there and he has to enforce the rules. Controversies are normal, and so are protests. We might have done the same, but after a minute… let us take the penalty! Shots from 11 yards can be missed with or without a hole in the grass.
However, Mariani refereed well. The result is fairer, but someone has to enforce the rules. I drew the attention of both him and the players; it's a big club. We are not the village fools and must command respect. Maybe we should have done it more vehemently”.
