Napoli v Genoa: VAR doubts on goals, was Neres a red? Marelli explains | OneFootball

The officiating by Federico La Penna in Napoli-Genoa, valid for the sixth round of Serie A, has sparked debate.

Napoli-Genoa, the referee review: doubts over the disallowed goal and Hojlund’s strike. Was Neres worthy of a red? Marelli clarifies

Between a disallowed goal, a questionable challenge by Di Lorenzo, and a possible second yellow for Neres, the Roman referee was at the center of several controversial incidents analyzed post-match by Luca Marelli, DAZN’s expert.

La Penna’s performance: a complex match but no decisive errors

After a long suspension due to altered reimbursements, La Penna has been back in Serie A for three seasons now. A lawyer by profession, known for his strictness and little on-field dialogue, the Roman whistle-blower is today one of the most experienced referees on the national scene.

Eighteen previous matches with Napoli (12 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses) and seven with Genoa (2 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses). At the “Maradona” he was assisted by Passeri and Trinchieri, with Galipò as fourth official and the Pezzuto–Sozza duo at VAR and AVAR.

Four players were booked in total: Marcandalli, Malinovskyi, Neres, and Otoa.

The key referee incidents in Napoli-Genoa Marcandalli’s foul (28’)

The first yellow card was correct: the Genoa defender brings down Hojlund on a counterattack. Clear foul and an indisputable disciplinary measure.

Malinovskyi (38’)

Yellow for unsporting behavior after kicking the ball away with play stopped. Right decision.

The missed yellow for Di Lorenzo (45’)

The most controversial episode of the first half. The Napoli captain goes in hard on an opponent but La Penna does not intervene. Marelli at the end of the match:

“He took a big risk. It’s a challenge that could have been sanctioned for recklessness, but the referee didn’t see it and took no action.”

The booking for Neres (55’)

The Brazilian blatantly holds back Sabelli: correct yellow for a tactical foul. On the next challenge – also a foul – Genoa asked for a second card, but the referee chose to be cautious.

Marelli explains:

“The second incident is neither reckless nor potentially dangerous. It was far from goal, with the defense set. There’s no grounds for sending Neres off.”

Otoa and the missed penalty (63’)

The challenge on Hojlund is worthy of a yellow, not a penalty: the defender pulls him outside the box. Decision in line with the rules.

The disallowed goal by De Bruyne (72’)

Napoli scores a temporary 2-1 with De Bruyne, assisted by Hojlund. The referee disallows it for offside, confirmed after VAR review. The Belgian was in an illegal position, his body slightly beyond the last defender.

Hojlund’s subsequent goal, which decided the match, was regular.

Marelli on the alleged foul by Di Lorenzo in the air:

“Genoa complained, but there’s nothing that would lead to the goal being disallowed. The contact was regular.”

Final analysis: La Penna passable with reservations

Overall, a decent performance by La Penna: the main technical decisions were correct, with some uncertainty over the cards. The missed yellow for Di Lorenzo remains the only truly debatable incident. Otherwise, good collaboration with VAR and orderly match management.

Overall rating: 6.5

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.