A few things for me ...
- VAR is NOT designed to re-referee the game, rather is designed to spot clear and obvious errors. Personally I would give a foul for the challenge on Pepe, but equally if I was sitting upstairs I'm not sure I'd be able to effectively overrule the referee and say it was a clear and obvious error. That type of challenge isn't what VAR is designed to deal with as far as I am aware.
- Officials at senior levels are told / instructed to manage dissent and only use cards where necessary. Whilst some will disagree with that, you can't blame the referees as if you are given an instruction by your bosses you either comply with it or find another job. I don't mean ignore it, and Rocchi chose to read the riot act instead.
- This was an excellent game and the referee contributed fully to it. It didn't need a fussy referee killing it and waving cards because he was slavishly following the laws, and once you get to level 3 and above in England and equivalent levels overseas, you are expected to manage the event rather than just referee the game.
Some on here won't like what I have said, and I can think of one in particular, but I can assure you it is factually correct. Non compliance equals no further promotion and / or demotion.