Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has absolutely no doubts that Ukraine ‘were robbed’ in last night’s crucial EURO 2024 qualifier with Italy.
The Azzurri knew a point would suffice to qualify for the tournament in Germany next summer and secured a 0-0 draw on neutral turf in Leverkusen.
Deep into stoppages, Bryan Cristante appeared to catch Mykhailo Mudryk inside the penalty area, only for referee Jesus Gil Manzano and the VAR to wave play on.
While the incident was debated in the media and among the coaches and players too, Napoli President De Laurentiis is steadfast in his conviction.
“Nobody wants to see a team robbed the way Ukraine were last night by Italy. They clearly should’ve had a penalty,” said De Laurentiis as part of the presentation of a new book.
Making the situation a little awkward was the fact De Laurentiis was at the time sitting with Napoli defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo and winger Matteo Politano, who were both playing for Italy last night.
“In truth, you played well, better than most times I have seen the Nazionale, and you deserved to qualify. Ukraine were motivated by the war, they had a dream and it was not made into reality. Then again, if everything was easy, it wouldn’t be a dream.”
Ukraine can still qualify for EURO 2024, as they are one of 12 teams entering the play-offs in March 2024.
Oh well everyone is entitled to their opinion, in my opinion it was the right call. I hate penalty shots, it is a tainted way to win a game. After a great game like that I don’t want it decided on a 50-50 penalty.
ADL has always been a non-Italian by heart. I hope your Napoli team crash and lose as many games possible In Serie A and Champions League. I will give Walter Mazzarri 10 games and he will get sacked too. What a piece of work you are ADL!
Everyone with a non Italian name always backs the other side
I think he got the ball first then he fell.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but the player was deliberately looking for contact so he could con the ref into giving a penalty. It happens all the time and some refs are conned.
If it was a definitive penalty it would of been called. Italy goes to the big dance where they belong!
they go to the big dance in front of the world thy wont know how to dance
my opinion are bsed on what i see is happening the slopy of italian soccer i think de larentis is a traiter
This is exactly the problem with Italian football. The Serie A club owners are more interested in their own priorities than helping and supporting the national team. Probably still bitter about Spalletti
ADL, like most team owners unfortunately, couldn’t care less about the National Team… sad. I agree with Tony F, ball first then he fell. Forza Azzurri!!!
It was a correct call.NO PENALTY.
Why is no one mentioning the missed call at the other end when Di Marco was flung away near the end line? That too was a debatable call.
What a piece of crap this guy is everytine he opens his mouth it shows what a traitor he truly is. Z rated movie director hanging on to cotails of the last name. A true hater.
People forget when italy u20 WC in 2019 were robbed when they tied the game at end with scammaca and goal was removed because defender went down saying he got hit by scammaca as they dived all game long.
ADL = A Delusional Lunatic
@ Enrico Quarto 4 world cups 2 euros I am sure they know how to dance. Maybe they can teach you how to dance off blog!!
Well, I’m surprised an old timer like DeLaurentiis thinks that way. An important game should NEVER be decided on a late penalty in stoppage, unless the player fouled had a better than average chance of scoring. No one really knows if contact was made or not, so all the nay sayers need to shut up now
Carnt stand the man he’s a clown 🤡
This is also the guy that fired Spelletti after he won seria A
It is clear from the TV replay that Christante got the ball away first. The Ukrainian stumbled on his follow- through albeit on contact with the Italian’ legs. But this NOT a penalty as Christante did not trip the opponent intentionally.
ADL sounds like a fool!
It happens in every game we were lucky we didn’t concede very happy not often Italy has luck their way so b it Forza Italia
He is a nobody, and it’s not worth giving his views an ounce of attention.
Carnt stand the man total idiot