The ugly and ill-tempered Europa League defeat to Spartak Moscow continued even after the final whistle. ‘Many of the refereeing decisions were unusual,’ said Napoli full-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
The Partenopei had taken the lead within 11 seconds thanks to Eljif Elmas, but the Mario Rui straight red card after a VAR review left them down to 10 men for over an hour.
Spartak fought back, winning 3-2 with chaotic scenes at the final whistle.
Europa League | Napoli 2-3 Spartak Moscow: Partenopei see red
“There was some tension at the end, because seeing them from the pitch, many of the refereeing decisions were unusual,” Di Lorenzo told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s always difficult when down to 10 men, we play many times testing out in training exercises with 10 men, but it does take a lot out of you.
“We took the initiative throughout, it’s disappointing that we conceded those goals.”
Napoli have one point after two games in this Europa League group, but there is hope, because Leicester City lost 1-0 to Legia Warsaw, meaning it’s a very open qualifying campaign.
Refereeing disaster against Serie-A clubs isn’t news