Napoli defender Juan Jesus believes Serie A legends similar to Giorgio Chiellini and Lucio would “play one match and miss the following” by means of suspension in the event that they performed within the league as we speak.
The Brazilian centre-back was despatched off in Napoli’s 3-2 win over Genoa on Saturday after selecting up two yellow playing cards, the second time the Serie A champions have been decreased to 10 males in a league recreation for the reason that flip of the 12 months.
Regardless of his pink card, the 34-year-old will nonetheless be out there for Antonio Conte when Napoli host Como within the Coppa Italia quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Napoli reached the final eight of the competitors after beating Cagliari 9-8 on penalties (1-1 after 90 minutes), with the Serie A holders trying so as to add to their Supercoppa Italiana victory in December.
Nevertheless, whereas talking to Sport Mediaset earlier than their tie towards Como, Juan Jesus’ focus was on the extent of officiating in Italy.
“I’ve lived by means of two totally different eras, like Daniele De Rossi [Genoa head coach],” mentioned the defender.
76 – Juan Jesus is distributed off#GenoaNapoli 2-2
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) February 7, 2026
“I’ve spent 15 years in Italy, even when there was a referee behind the purpose line. If there are instruments to assist referees make fewer errors, that’s nice, however from what I see, there’s a debate about every part: penalties, free kicks, yellow or pink playing cards.
“We all know the referee is a human being. Right now, I don’t see any enchancment in something. There’s nothing however controversy, with us and with some other crew. I feel we’ve taken a step backwards as an alternative of ahead.
“Soccer is performed together with your ft, not together with your fingers. If each time there’s a contact on the attacker’s foot, even in midfield, it ought to at all times be a foul.
“If it turns into the type of confusion we’ve been seeing these days, sadly, it turns into onerous for everybody to stay captivated with soccer.
“I performed in an period with defenders like Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. I had the pleasure to play alongside Walter Samuel, Cristian Chivu and Lucio.
“They have been all bodily defenders who loved contact. In the event that they performed as we speak, they’d play one match and miss the following.”
Napoli haven’t certified for the final 4 of the Coppa Italia since 2020-21, whereas they final lifted the trophy within the 2019-20 marketing campaign.
