Pippo Inzaghi was furious after Salernitana’s last-gasp defeat to Napoli, just days after a similar loss to Juventus. ‘We demand respect, there was a foul on the winning goal.’
The team at the bottom of the Serie A table had taken the lead at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona thanks to a stunning Antonio Candreva curler into the far top corner.
However, Matteo Politano converted a penalty to equalise and at the 96th minute Amir Rrahmani turned in the winner from six yards.
It is not hard to see where the problems lie for Salernitana, as they have now dropped an amazing 15 points from leading situations in Serie A this season.
“It is very disappointing, but we are on the right track. I could not have asked for more from these lads and we did not deserve to lose,” said Inzaghi in a press conference.
“We are penalised in every game and after a while it is starting to irritate us. It is time for people to show respect to Salernitana.
“I was booked without having done anything, and seeing as I was already on a yellow card, I will be suspended. I am not even allowed to talk, that is not fair.
“I demand respect for me, for Salernitana and for my players. When that happens, then we will stop complaining.”
Inzaghi was carded for protesting the penalty, which was awarded for Federico Fazio catching the back of Giovanni Simeone’s ankle as they both went for the ball.
This type of situation has always been given as a penalty in Serie A this season and was spotted by the VAR.
“It is a VAR style penalty, which is fine, but it would never be given by a referee on the field. Just like Diego Demme’s foul during the Napoli goal should’ve been flagged up by the VAR. He knocked my player in the head, a player that would’ve cleared that ball.”
Demme nodded down the ball for Rrahmani to take a touch and turn in from six yards.
“That isn’t all, it is the attitude of referees I do not like. The moment I raise my arm, I get a yellow card without even saying a word. I never disrespected anyone in my career, as a player and a coach, so I demand respect from others. There has to be a dialogue between coaches and officials, otherwise we feel like we’re taken for a ride.
“It’s not fair because we make great sacrifices, we play great performances and want to lose only when it is right. We are not sacrificial lambs.
“We could’ve brought the result home today, we take responsibility for our mistakes, but this is the right path and if we play with this spirit, we will stay in Serie A.”
#SerieA | @OfficialUSS1919, #Inzaghi dopo la sconfitta contro il @sscnapoli: "Siamo sempre penalizzati. Esigo rispetto per me e il club"https://t.co/BbesIrMFbW
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) January 13, 2024