The introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to Italian football has been met with some uncertainty.
Undeniably a useful tool if suitably applied, the notion that referees will become overly reliant on the service and begin second-guessing previously straight-forward decisions persists.
Well, with Napoli and Inter Milan setting the pace in Serie A after 9 games this season, Juventus traveled to face Udinese this evening.
Trailing 1-0 after 8 minutes, the Champions were quick to react and led 2-1 less than 15 minutes later.
What happened next had nothing particularly to do with VAR, but it certainly demonstrated an unusual move from the referee Daniele Doveri.
Chasing onto a low cross from Gonzalo Higuain, Mario Mandzukic appeared to be caught by the trailing defender Ali Adnan. Fortunate perhaps not to have conceded a penalty - it is Juventus they are playing after all - Adnan proceeded to let Mandzukic know exactly what he thought of his 'performance'.
Needless to say, the Croat did not take this intrusion lightly.
Yet, remaining relatively calm, looking more perplexed than by Adnan's reaction than anything else, Mandzukic found himself booked and rapidly booked again within a few seconds.
Obviously something he said, Doveri's reaction was nonetheless quite unusual. Barely waiting for Mandzukic to respond to the first contentious yellow, he had delivered the second and Mandzukic was sent off - only 25 minutes had elapsed.
Although Juventus held onto their lead up until half-time, Udinese started the second-half strongly and equalised 3 minutes in. However, resilient as always, Juve promptly retook the lead and then stormed to a 6-2 win with midfielder Sami Khedira bagging a hat-trick.
Crazy game.
