Napoli Exit Coppa Italia after loss to Como in Quarter Finals
Napoli crashed out of the Coppa Italia at the quarter-final stage, losing 7-6 to Cesc Fabregas’ Como in a dramatic penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
Como were comfortably the better team in the first half and went ahead through Martin Baturina’s 39th-minute penalty, which was awarded after Mathias Olivera fouled Ivan Smolcic as the full-back attempted to turn home a cross at the far post.
Napoli boss Antonio Conte fumed at the officiating after his side exited the Coppa Italia with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Como.
Napoli believed Como’s Jacobo Ramon should have received a second booking when he pulled back Rasmus Hojlund in the 50th minute.
Indeed, Conte also felt Ramon’s yellow card in the first half, which was also for a foul on Hojlund, could easily have merited a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
“Let’s not always go and talk about referees, because there’s always going to be someone complaining,” Conte told Sports Mediaset, in quotes carried by Football Italia.
“It’s certainly not a good season for referees and for VAR, I hope they can find something that will improve the situation.
“The fact is, everyone is complaining, coaches, players and fans, so the sport needs to step up and improve, because just as we improve our teams,they have to improve the referees and VAR officials.
“It’s not good for football, it’s not good for us.”
Conte did, however, insist Napoli fans need to have perspective as the reigning Serie A champions continue to grapple with an injury crisis.
“I credit the lads, because it was certainly not easy to face a Como side with a full squad available, who had rested for 10 days,” he added.
“We were coming off a game played against Genoa three days ago, which we ended with 10 men and lost another player to injury, as Scott McTominay is so important for us.
“I can only praise these players, because we are pushing beyond our current potential. We have very few resources available, which are simply nowhere near the ambitions that we should’ve had for this season.
“We’re having an incredibly positive season, in the circumstances.”
