Koopmeiners Avoids Red Card, Napoli Furious: Marelli Has No Doubts

A dangerous tackle by Koopmeiners in the 11th minute of the first half of the match between Juventus and Napoli. The Dutch midfielder made a high tackle on Anguissa’s leg near the three-quarter line of Juventus’s half, sparking protests from the Napoli players. The Cameroonian player had to receive treatment from the medical staff.

Referee Sozza, however, did not intervene even to issue a yellow card, and the VAR did not call him to the monitor, following the Orsato method to the letter. From the replays, the former Atalanta player’s tackle appears very hard—even to DAZN’s video analyst Marelli—who nevertheless decisively opts for a yellow card.

“From the footage we’ve seen, Koopmeiners should have received a yellow card. The contact occurs very high on the calf, halfway between the calf and the ankle. Let’s see what the VAR officials say, even though there’s the option of a serious foul. The point of contact is very high, but I’ll make a key point: his right foot slides off the ankle, so there aren’t grounds for a red card.”

Shortly afterward, Juve winger Cabal appeals for a penalty after a challenge by Olivera in the Napoli box, but once again the referee lets play continue: the Napoli player makes contact with the ball first.