When Mariani awarded Genoa a penalty deep into stoppage time, the Milan defender vigorously tapped the spot six times with his foot—just like Maspero did with Salas in a 2001 Turin derby

Last night, Ricky Maspero must have looked back—not without a certain smugness—to 25 years ago, when in a Turin derby he surreptitiously dug his foot into the spot from which Salas was to take a penalty, sending the Chilean’s shot into orbit. Well, Strahinja Pavlovic did the same thing against Genoa, achieving the same result. A new Maspero.

It’s the 99th minute of a match where anything is happening in the final moments. Mariani has just awarded Genoa a penalty after Bartesaghi fouled Ellertsson. The Rossoneri are tearing their hair out, because Leao had just scored the equalizer. Some are in despair, but others are taking the initiative. During the endless discussions, Pavlovic steps up to the spot and literally “plows” the ball six times. Four with his left foot and two with his right, just to be sure. Unlike Maspero, who had moved on tiptoes, the Serbian defender acts ostentatiously, bordering on insolence (in fact, he is later cautioned for unsporting behavior). A surreal scene both for the duration and repetition of the gesture, and because Stanciu—who already has the ball in his hands—notices it and watches without saying a word. Then he places the ball on the penalty spot ravaged by Pavlovic and sends it into the top corner. “Mission” accomplished, just like in that derby against Maspero, who later described his move as a “stroke of genius.” We await a response from Strahinja as well…

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