Antonio Conte voiced his frustration after the 1-1 draw between Napoli and Inter, particularly over the lack of VAR intervention during a controversial penalty decision. The match saw Hakan Calhanoglu score to level the game after Scott McTominay’s early goal, but Calhanoglu later missed a crucial penalty in the final moments. Conte was particularly upset with the decision to penalize Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for a foul on Denzel Dumfries, which led to the penalty for Inter. He criticized VAR for failing to overturn what he considered a clear error, questioning the purpose of the system if it doesn’t correct obvious mistakes.
Conte’s frustration was evident as he highlighted the role of VAR in ensuring refereeing accuracy. “If there is an error, it has to intervene,” he remarked. "It really angers me, but it angers all coaches," emphasizing that VAR’s role should be to correct mistakes and bring attention to situations that the referee might have missed. Conte was particularly disappointed that referee Maurizio Mariani’s decision stood without review, leaving him questioning whether VAR is being used effectively or selectively.
Despite his criticism of the officiating, Conte praised his team for their resilience against a strong Napoli side, especially in the second half. "I said that we would not come here to just be sparring partners against the strongest squad in Serie A, so it was important for us to face them with strength, character, accepting duels all over the field," he said. He noted their progress, acknowledging the team's ability to challenge top sides like Napoli while also highlighting their unbeaten record at San Siro and against Juventus.
Conte also took the opportunity to reflect on his team’s overall performance, noting the importance of their competitive spirit in a title race that is becoming increasingly tight. Napoli’s draw kept them at the top of Serie A with 26 points, but Inter remains just one point ahead of a group of teams including Atalanta, Fiorentina, and Lazio, ensuring that the competition remains fierce as the season progresses.
For Conte, the missed penalty and the lack of VAR intervention overshadowed what was otherwise a solid display from his team, and his remarks underscored the growing frustration with officiating decisions that could influence the outcome of key matches in the league.
