Italy coach Spalletti opens up about controversial Inter vs Napoli penalty

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti insists it’s ‘essential’ to pay attention to public messages after referee decisions, otherwise ‘it’s easy to believe there were shocking events even when it’s not the case.’

Spalletti was asked his thoughts on recent controversies for a penalty kick given to Inter in a Serie A match against Napoli.

Hakan Calhanoglu missed it, but Napoli coach Antonio Conte was still furious with the referee and questioned the use of VAR.

Italy coach Spalletti opens up about controversial Inter vs Napoli penalty

“It’s essential to pay attention to how messages are transmitted because when the contact level for a foul is so reduced, the players feed on this, and it’s easy to believe there were shocking events even when it’s not the case,” Spalletti said after on Monday night after an award ceremony at Italy’s Hall of Fame.

“It’s necessary to talk to the players to avoid making a fuss because these things reduce the referees in prison if they don’t pay attention.”

The big match at San Siro on Sunday eventually ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Napoli at the top of the Serie A table with four teams just one point behind them: Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter, and Lazio.

Napoli’s Serie A campaign resumes after the break with a home game against strugglers Roma at the Stadio Maradona on November 24.

Spalletti’s Italy meet Belgium and France in Nations League games this week.

The Azzurri trained Monday afternoon after Spalletti’s first press conference in the November break.