Napoli faces a crucial match for the Scudetto title in Salento this afternoon. However, coach Conte`s main concern isn`t the opponent, Lecce, their player Krstovic, or even the intense atmosphere at the Via del Mare stadium. What truly worries the Napoli camp is the selection of referee Davide Massa. Napoli fans vividly recall his controversial handling of their December 2023 match against Inter at the Maradona stadium. While Inter won 3-0 convincingly, the outcome was widely seen as heavily influenced by the referee`s notable errors.
Two pivotal and unforgettable moments from that game stand out: a possible foul by Lautaro in the buildup to Calhanoglu`s opening goal (1-0) and a challenge between Acerbi and Osimhen inside the box early in the second half (as reported by Sportmediaset at the time). Analyzing these incidents on the program `Pressing`, pundit Graziano Cesari gave Massa a very poor rating of 4.
The 43rd minute saw Lautaro gain possession from Anguissa under pressure from Lobotka. To keep hold of the ball and maintain Inter`s attack, the Argentine held his opponent. Twenty-one seconds later, Calhanoglu scored the first goal. Cesari`s analysis highlighted that Massa seemed confident but missed Lautaro`s left arm wrapping around Lobotka`s hip and, critically, the moment the forward stepped on the opponent`s heel, causing him to fall. Cesari identified two mistakes: Massa for not spotting the foul and VAR Marini for not intervening.
In the 58th minute, with Inter still leading by one goal, Osimhen controlled the ball well in the penalty area but went down following contact with Acerbi, just above his Achilles tendon. Cesari noted that Massa made an effort to watch the play closely, even crouching down for a better view. Despite the Napoli striker having possession, there was contact from Acerbi`s body and then the low challenge. The former referee concluded that VAR should have reviewed this incident, stating emphatically: “For me, it`s a penalty kick.”
Massa is set to referee Napoli again today. This appointment is undoubtedly seen as ill-timed and is causing considerable anxiety for the team from Campania. The Ligurian official is under immense pressure and cannot afford to repeat the kind of inexplicable errors seen eighteen months ago. With the Scudetto race so tight and every point critical, the eyes of the entire nation will be on his performance. Will this scrutiny guarantee a calm and error-free game? Absolutely not. The events of May 1st serve as a reminder that anything can happen in Italian football. As the saying goes, it`s better to blush than to suffer.