Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri caused a stir on Monday evening by heading straight into the catacombs right after the final whistle of the lost Super Cup final. According to president Aurelio De Laurentiis, it was all due to his anger about the refereeing.
Napoli's defeat against Internazionale in Saudi Arabia, with a late goal from Lautaro Martínez (1-0), was marred by controversy and frustration.
The match took a contentious turn when Napoli had to play the last half-hour with only ten men after Giovanni Simeone received his second yellow card. This decision incensed Napoli's coach, Walter Mazzarri, who deemed it a disgrace. Adding to the dissatisfaction, Napoli had been upset before halftime when Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu received a yellow card only after committing his third foul. These refereeing decisions cast a shadow over the Super Cup final.
Mazzarri's response to the situation was striking; he chose to boycott the award ceremony, venting his frustration by avoiding the post-match formalities. In his absence, Napoli's president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, took the opportunity to address the media. De Laurentiis didn't mince words as he expressed his anger regarding the refereeing and offered his sympathy to referee chief Gianluca Rocchi, acknowledging the challenging environment for referees this season. He lamented that what was supposed to be a showcase for Italian football had turned into a nightmarish ordeal due to the perceived weaknesses in refereeing decisions.
The choice of Saudi Arabia as the host for the Italian Super Cup had already been a subject of contention, drawing criticism from many Italians. De Laurentiis himself had reservations about the event, stating that he had little enthusiasm for it. He cited concerns about the already congested football calendar, arguing that Italian teams should not be traveling abroad to play matches. Furthermore, he predicted that the trophy might not even have a place in the following season due to UEFA's plans to increase the number of matches.
In contrast to Napoli's frustrations, Inter's coach, Simone Inzaghi, had a more positive outlook. He celebrated winning the Italian Super Cup for the third consecutive time with the Nerazzurri, having previously achieved this feat twice with Lazio. Inzaghi praised Napoli for their performance, acknowledging their fighting spirit. He expressed satisfaction, particularly for his players who had put in immense effort to secure the trophy. Inzaghi emphasized the importance of having a strong team, suggesting that there was no secret formula for success.
The Super Cup final not only showcased the competitive spirit of Italian football but also highlighted the challenges and controversies that can arise in the sport. While Napoli grappled with their disappointment and grievances, Inter celebrated their victory, demonstrating the contrasting emotions that football can evoke on any given day.
