Former referee Luca Marelli has shed light on the controversies surrounding Victor Osimhen’s penalty in Napoli’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Juventus in the Serie A on Sunday. Marelli, known for his expertise in officiating, has clarified that Maurizio Mariani made the correct call in awarding the penalty to Napoli, the reigning Serie A champions.
The intense showdown between Napoli and Juventus took place at the iconic Diego Maradona Stadium, where Georgia forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia initially put the home team in the lead. However, Juventus fought back, with Federico Chiesa netting the equalizer just eight minutes before the final whistle.
The pivotal moment came in the 85th minute when Mariani pointed to the spot after a VAR review. The referee determined that a challenge from Joseph Nonge, a promising Belgian midfielder, had caught Osimhen on the ankle, warranting a penalty for Napoli. Despite Osimhen’s initial miss from the spot, Giacomo Raspadori capitalized on the rebound to secure the victory for Napoli in the 88th minute.
Marelli, speaking on DAZN via Tuttojuve, emphasized the clarity of the decision, stating, “Osimhen controls the ball between two players: Nonge’s intervention may not be immediately apparent, but upon review, it is evident that he made contact with the Napoli striker’s ankle. The penalty and the subsequent yellow card for the Juventus player were unquestionably the correct calls.”
The match-deciding penalty incident has sparked debates among fans and pundits alike, with Marelli’s insights providing valuable clarity on the matter. As the football world continues to dissect the thrilling encounter between Napoli and Juventus, Marelli’s expert analysis serves as a beacon of truth in the midst of controversy.
