Leonardo Bonucci's latest lapse in concentration may end up costing Vincenzo Montella his job at big-spending AC Milan.
Bonucci was sent off in the first half of Milan's 0-0 draw at home with Genoa on Sunday for elbowing a defender in the head as he jostled for position on a free kick.
Milan lost its three previous Serie A matches and was also held 0-0 at home with AEK in the Europa League on Thursday. Last weekend, the Rossoneri were beaten 3-2 by Inter Milan in the city derby after Bonucci was beaten by Mauro Icardi for Inter's opener.
The Rossoneri's last league win came more than a month ago.
"Unfortunately, everything that could have happened has," Montella said. "But I feel supported by the club. ... We deserved to win today, because we created chances even when we were a man down."
Milan, which was bought by a Chinese-led consortium in April, spent more than 200 million euros (nearly $250 million) on new players in the offseason and Bonucci was the centerpiece of the overhaul.
The fee for Bonucci's surprise move from Juventus topped 40 million euros (nearly $50 million), and he signed a five-year contract worth up to 10 million euros (nearly $12 million) per season — making him the highest-paid player in Italy.
But Bonucci has been off form over the last month and now risks missing the game against Juventus next Sunday if he's given a two-match ban.
Bonucci's blow to Aleandro Rosi's head in the 23rd minute left the Genoa player on the ground for several minutes before the blood was cleaned up and he continued playing.
The referee did not initially show Bonucci a red card. The decision came with the help of the video assistant referee (VAR) — marking the first time a red card was handed out by the VAR in Italy.
"I don't think it was intentional foul play. He was positioning himself. Do you know how many goals I scored in situations like that?" said Montella, whose goals as a player helped Roma to the 2001 title.
"The VAR needs to be remodeled," Montella added. "If Bonucci hadn't injured his opponent I don't think he would have been sent off."
Things could have gotten worse for Milan when Genoa's Andrea Bertolacci — who is on loan from the Rossoneri — narrowly missed a dangerous effort after the break.
Nikola Kalinic, another of Milan's signings, missed several chances at a late winner.
Milan dropped to 11th place, 12 points behind leader Napoli.
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KOLAROV'S FREE KICKS
Aleksandar Kolarov followed up his midweek goal against Chelsea by scoring from a free kick in Roma's 1-0 win at Torino.
The Serbian became the first player to score two goals from direct free kicks in Serie A this season, having also connected on his Roma debut in August against Atalanta.
Stretching back to last season, it was Roma's 11th straight away win, matching the Serie A record.
Roma is fifth, one point behind Juventus and Lazio.
Six-time defending champion Juventus was visiting Udinese later aiming to end a two-match winless streak and fourth-placed Lazio was hosting Cagliari.
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NAPOLI'S NEXT STRIKER
Roberto Inglese bolstered his case for a January move to Serie A leader Napoli with a brace in the Verona derby, helping Chievo to a 3-2 win.
Napoli purchased Inglese's rights in August but left the striker on loan at Chievo.
However, since Arkadiusz Milik was lost to a long-term injury in September — his second such injury in two seasons — Napoli has expressed interest in moving up Inglese's arrival to January and loaning Milik to Chievo in exchange so the Poland international can regain his form once he's fit.
Substitute Sergio Pellissier got the winner for Chievo, which moved up to seventh place.
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OTHER MATCHES:
Also, it was: Atalanta 1, Bologna 0; Benevento 0, Fiorentina 3; and Spal 0, Sassuolo 1.
Benevento became the first team in Serie A history to lose each of its first nine matches of the season.