Considered among the best emerging refereeing talents in Italy, Simone Sozza – chosen for yesterday’s match at Maradona, is regaining the spotlight this year after last season’s decline. The 36-year-old whistler who grew up in the Seregno section, a small town in Brianza in the province of Monza, despite being born in Milan, however this year too has had ups and downs, as in his previous outing in Salernitana-Sassuolo at the beginning of the month. Let’s see how she fared in Fuorigrotta.
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Sozza’s history with Napoli and Rome
Sozza had already refereed Roma three times this season: the previous ones speak of a defeat in Turin against Juventus (1-0 for the Bianconeri) and a 4-1 success on the Cagliari pitch. All in all the Giallorossi with him had achieved 6 victories, a draw and 2 knockouts with the referee of the Seregno section. The Azzurri, however, with him had achieved two victories (Lazio and Fiorentina), only one defeat (Inter) and two draws (Cagliari and Juventus).
The referee cautioned two players
Assisted by assistants Bercigli and Scatragli with IV man Colombo, Abyss at the Var and Irrati at the Avar, the referee cautioned two players, one of which was from De Rossi’s team: 75′ Rrahmani (N), 80′ Anguissa (N)
Naples-Rome, the cases from slow motion
These are the dubious episodes. In the 58th minute Azmoun anticipates Juan Jesus on Kristenesn’s side, the Iranian collapses to the ground and for Sozza there are no doubts in indicating the penalty. The check confirms the race director’s decision. In the 64th minute on Napoli’s equaliser, Cajuste’s intervention on Mancini, who ends up on the ground, is suspicious. The Napoli midfielder touches the ball but also the ankle of the Giallorossi defender, intervening from behind. VAR does not change Sozza’s decision. In the 80th minute Kvaratskhelia beats Renato Sanches who then hits him with his right heel. After a long check at the VAR, Sozza goes to the on field review and awards the penalty kick. In the 88th minute Abraham heads from a corner, Sozza disallows it for offside but after a long check to the VAR, the goal is validated and Napoli-Roma ends 2-2.
